Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Draws Praise and Criticism, Including From Trump
Donald Trump slammed Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance on Sunday night, attacking the show on social media as “a slap in the face to our country” and claiming that viewers “don’t understand a word this guy is saying.”
Trump posted a lengthy rant on his Truth Social account during the game, unleashing a barrage of criticism aimed at both the performer and the NFL.
“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER!” Trump wrote. “It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence. Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World.”
Trump went on to call the performance a “slap in the face” to the country, before pivoting to familiar grievances about media coverage and economic talking points.
“There is nothing inspirational about this mess of a Halftime Show,” he continued, predicting it would receive praise from what he called the “Fake News Media.” He also took aim at the NFL’s new kickoff rule, demanding it be reversed, and ended the post with his signature campaign slogan.
Earlier in the evening, as the Super Bowl began, Trump struck a far more upbeat tone, posting: “Enjoy the Super Bowl, America! Our Country is stronger, bigger, and better than ever before – and THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”
Bad Bunny’s selection as the Super Bowl halftime headliner by the National Football League and Apple Music sparked backlash months before the game, particularly among MAGA-aligned figures who criticized the artist for performing primarily in Spanish and for his outspoken opposition to aggressive immigration enforcement policies.
Trump’s former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski was among the earliest critics, accusing the league of choosing an artist who “seems to hate America” and suggesting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would be present at the Super Bowl.
The halftime performance marked Bad Bunny’s only U.S. concert appearance of the year. His Debí Tirar Más Fotos world tour does not include U.S. dates, a decision the Grammy-winning artist has said was influenced by concerns over immigration enforcement. In an interview with i-D magazine, Bad Bunny cited fears of ICE raids as one factor behind skipping a U.S. tour.
Trump had previously criticized the NFL’s decision in an appearance on Greg Kelly Reports on Newsmax, calling the choice “absolutely ridiculous,” while also claiming he was unfamiliar with the artist.
“I’ve never heard of him,” Trump said at the time. “I don’t know who he is… I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s crazy.”
When Bad Bunny hosted Saturday Night Live last October, he described the Super Bowl halftime show as a milestone for Latino representation in the United States.
“It’s more than a win for myself,” the artist said. “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.”
Donald Trump via Truth Social –
