Football fans aren’t holding back their feelings about Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance.
When the NFL dropped its first promotional teaser on Friday, reactions flooded social media—and many weren’t dancing along.
The Puerto Rican superstar will headline Super Bowl LX next month in San Francisco, but not everyone’s celebrating.
From political critics to everyday viewers threatening to skip halftime entirely, Bad Bunny’s selection has sparked one of the most divisive reactions in recent Super Bowl history.
Backlash Erupts After NFL’s Spanish-Language Teaser
The NFL’s Friday promo post came with a caption entirely in Spanish: “El 8 de febrero, el mundo bailará” (On February 8, the world will dance).
The 75-second clip featured Bad Bunny and dancers moving to his hit “BAILE INoLVIDABLE” (Unforgettable Dance). Fans immediately took to comment sections expressing frustration.
So tone deaf. I will turn it off.
Others echoed similar sentiments, with some stating they’d take a “bathroom break” during halftime rather than watch. Multiple commenters declared they simply “will not watch” the performance at all.
President Donald Trump joined the chorus of critics, calling the decision “crazy” and “absolutely ridiculous.” Trump admitted he’d never heard of the artist, real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and questioned why the NFL made this choice.
NFL Leadership Stands Firm Behind Their Choice
Despite mounting criticism, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended Bad Bunny’s selection back in November at league meetings.
He’s one of the leading and most popular [artists] in the world. That’s what we try to achieve.
Goodell emphasized that halftime shows represent an “important stage” and “important element to the entertainment value” of Super Bowl broadcasts. He predicted the performance would create “an exciting and a united moment.”
The NFL partnered with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation to select Bad Bunny, following their established relationship for curating halftime entertainment. Jay-Z himself addressed critics late last year with a brief but pointed message.
Don’t let them fool you.
Political Controversy Intensifies Around Performance
Trump ally Corey Lewandowski escalated political rhetoric surrounding the selection, claiming Bad Bunny “seems to hate America.” Lewandowski called the choice “shameful” and connected it to broader immigration enforcement efforts.
He confirmed ICE agents would patrol San Francisco during Super Bowl weekend, stating there’s “nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally.”
Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find and deport you. That is a very real situation.
This immigration angle gained additional attention because Bad Bunny previously cited ICE agents as his reason for avoiding mainland US tour dates. Even House Speaker Mike Johnson weighed in, calling the rapper a “terrible” choice.
It sounds like he’s not someone who appeals to a broader audience and there are so many eyes on the Super Bowl—a lot of young, impressionable children.
Johnson’s comments ignore streaming data showing Bad Bunny ranks among Spotify’s most-streamed artists globally, with massive international appeal that extends well beyond Spanish-speaking audiences.
Bad Bunny Claps Back With Humor and Pride
The artist hasn’t stayed silent amid controversy. During his October “Saturday Night Live” hosting gig, Bad Bunny trolled critics with perfectly timed comedy.
You might not know this but I’m doing the Super Bowl halftime show and I’m very happy and I think everyone is happy about it—even Fox News.
A heavily-edited montage then played, stitching together Fox News clips to make anchors appear to say: “Bad Bunny is my favorite musician and he should be the next president.”
After expressing genuine excitement about performing, Bad Bunny delivered several sentences in Spanish before ending with a pointed message in English.
If you did not understand what I just said… you have four months to learn!
Performance Represents Broader Cultural Significance
In his Spanish-language SNL remarks, Bad Bunny reframed his Super Bowl appearance as bigger than personal achievement. He thanked “all of the Latinos and Latinas in the world here in the United States who have worked to open doors.”
It’s more than a win for myself, it’s a win for all of us. Our footprints and our contribution in this country, no one will ever be able to take that away or erase it.
His comments highlight why representation matters to millions watching. For Latino communities, seeing Bad Bunny command football’s biggest stage represents cultural recognition long overdue in mainstream American entertainment.
Super Bowl halftime shows have historically featured diverse performers—from Shakira and Jennifer Lopez to The Weeknd and Rihanna. Bad Bunny’s selection continues this tradition while acknowledging Latin music’s undeniable dominance in contemporary charts.
What Fans Can Actually Expect February 8
Regardless of controversy, Bad Bunny will take the stage at Super Bowl LX in San Francisco next month. His catalog includes global hits blending reggaeton, trap, and experimental sounds that have redefined Latin music’s boundaries.
The performance promises high-energy choreography, as teased in Friday’s promotional clip. Whether critics tune out or not, millions worldwide will likely tune in—just as they do for every Super Bowl halftime show.
For Bad Bunny’s supporters, February 8 represents validation. For detractors, it’s another cultural flashpoint. Either way, the world will be watching when lights go down and music starts playing.
One thing remains certain: this halftime show won’t be forgotten, controversial or not.