The NFL announced Sunday night that Spanish-language pop star Bad Bunny will headline the highly-anticipated Super Bowl halftime show in California next February, triggering immediate backlash from conservative commentators and Trump supporters.
The Puerto Rican musician, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, celebrated his selection with a message emphasizing cultural pride.
The 31-year-old singer stated the moment goes beyond himself.
“It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history,” he said following the announcement.
Bad Bunny performs all his songs in Spanish and has been vocal about his concerns regarding President Trump’s immigration policies.
He recently admitted refusing to tour in the United States over worries that his fans would be targeted by ICE.
His recent single “NUEVAYoL,” released over the summer, features a voice resembling Trump’s issuing an apology to immigrants in America.
The artist has also created music protesting government response to Hurricane Maria with his song “Una Velita.”
MAGA commentators reacted strongly to the announcement on social media.
DEI critic Robby Starbuck claimed the NFL decided to make the Super Bowl political by choosing the Puerto Rican pop star as the halftime performer.
“This is not a pick designed to unite football fans or let people just enjoy the show. It was a pick designed to divide fans and no doubt Bad Bunny will find some way to push a woke message,” Starbuck wrote on X.
Starbuck questioned whether NFL owners were aware of the decision or disconnected from reality. He asked if it was difficult to pick a unifying music act who doesn’t want to peddle woke propaganda.
“Does this guy really scream American football to anyone? Be for real with me. No one thinks he does. This isn’t about music, it’s about putting a guy on stage who hates Trump and MAGA,” he continued.
Conservative radio host Dan O’Donnell suggested the artist was contradicting his earlier stance.
“Bad Bunny said two weeks ago he won’t perform in the US because he’s scared ICE agents would deport his fans,” O’Donnell wrote. “Turns out his business sense far outweighs his moral convictions.”
Pennsylvania podcaster Erick Klambara compared the selection to having Morgan Wallen at a soccer game in Mexico, arguing it was not a good fit for the sport.
Conservative political commentator and YouTuber Benny Johnson accused the NFL of self-destructing year after year.
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation company has been primarily tasked with selecting the Super Bowl halftime show act since 2019 as the league’s live music entertainment strategist.
The Daily Mail reported that while the NFL still has significant input, Roc Nation makes the primary selection decisions.
Kendrick Lamar was chosen by Jay-Z as last year’s headliner in New Orleans.
His performance sparked controversy after he sang his diss track about Drake and addressed racist stereotypes in America.
Bad Bunny threw his support behind Kamala Harris in last year’s presidential election.
His decision was influenced by an offensive comment about Puerto Rico at a Trump rally in New York City.
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe caused outrage when he called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage” at the Madison Square Garden rally last October.
He also said “these Latinos, they love making babies” in a jibe about birth control.
Prior to the election, Bad Bunny shared a video from Harris on Instagram.
“There’s so much at stake in this election for Puerto Rican voters and for Puerto Rico,” Harris said in the video.
“I will never forget what Donald Trump did and what he did not do when Puerto Rico needed a caring and a competent leader.”
