Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show Sparks Political Feud

The Puerto Rican artist's performance has drawn criticism from conservatives over his history of opposing Trump's immigration policies.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Bad Bunny is set to make history as the first Latin solo artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. However, his highly anticipated performance has sparked a political feud, with conservatives criticizing the NFL's decision and accusing the artist of using the platform to promote his anti-Trump views. Bad Bunny has been outspoken against the Trump administration's aggressive immigration campaign, drawing national condemnation following the killings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents. The trailer for his performance features the artist dancing with people from all different races and cultures, with the tagline 'The world will dance.' Bad Bunny has used his music, acceptance speeches, and world tours to support immigrants and speak out against ICE deportations, which has drawn the ire of conservative voices, including former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Why it matters

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show performance has become a political flashpoint, with conservatives accusing the artist of using the platform to promote his anti-Trump views on immigration. This reflects the ongoing tensions between the entertainment industry and the political right, as artists increasingly use their platforms to address social and political issues. The controversy also highlights the NFL's efforts to diversify its programming and appeal to a broader audience, which has faced pushback from some conservative fans.

The details

Bad Bunny, a 31-year-old Puerto Rican artist, is set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, making him the first Latin solo artist to do so. The decision has drawn criticism from conservatives, who have accused the NFL of selecting Bunny to use the platform for political purposes. Bunny has been outspoken in his opposition to the Trump administration's immigration policies, using his music, acceptance speeches, and world tours to support immigrants and speak out against ICE deportations. This has included incidents such as Bunny calling out ICE officers in Puerto Rico and dedicating his Grammy award to 'all the people who had to leave their homeland, their country to follow their dreams.' The trailer for Bunny's Super Bowl performance features the artist dancing with people from diverse backgrounds, with the tagline 'The world will dance.' Conservative voices, including former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and House Speaker Mike Johnson, have denounced the NFL's decision to select Bunny, with a petition to replace him with country artist George Strait garnering over 120,000 signatures.

  • On February 5, 2023, Bad Bunny used his Grammy acceptance speech to say 'ICE out!'
  • In September 2025, Bad Bunny told i-D magazine that he chose not to include any U.S. locations for his latest world tour due to concerns about ICE deportations.
  • In June 2025, Bad Bunny called out ICE officers in Puerto Rico in an Instagram story.

The players

Bad Bunny

A 31-year-old Puerto Rican musician who is set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, making him the first Latin solo artist to do so. He has been outspoken in his opposition to the Trump administration's immigration policies, using his platform to support immigrants and speak out against ICE deportations.

Roger Goodell

The National Football League (NFL) commissioner who backed the selection of Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime show, stating that the artist 'understood the platform he was on and that this platform is use to unite people.'

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who criticized the NFL's decision to select Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime show, calling it 'absolutely ridiculous' and stating that he is 'anti-them.'

Kristi Noem

The Homeland Security Secretary who said that ICE agents would be 'all over' the Super Bowl and that 'people should not be coming to the Super Bowl unless they're law-abiding Americans who love this country.'

Corey Lewandowski

Trump's former campaign manager and a current adviser at the Department of Homeland Security, who said that ICE agents could be at the Super Bowl this weekend and that 'there is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally.'

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What they’re saying

“We're not savage, we're not animals, we're not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans. I know it's tough to know not to hate on these days, and I was thinking, sometimes we get contaminados [contaminated]—I don't know how to say that in English. The hate gets more powerful with more hate.”

— Bad Bunny (Grammys)

“Bad Bunny is, and I think that was demonstrated last night, one of the great artists in the world, and that's one of the reasons we chose him. But the other reason is he understood the platform he was on and that this platform is use to unite people and to be able to bring people together with their creativity, with their talents, and to be able to use this moment to do that.”

— Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner (Press Conference)

“I think people should not be coming to the Super Bowl unless they're law-abiding Americans who love this country.”

— Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Secretary (Interview)

“There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else.”

— Corey Lewandowski, Trump Adviser (Podcast)

“I'm anti-them. I think it's a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred.”

— Donald Trump (Interview)

What’s next

The NFL and Bad Bunny have not commented further on the political controversy surrounding the halftime show performance. It remains to be seen whether the artist will use the platform to make any overt political statements during the show.

The takeaway

Bad Bunny's selection as the first Latin solo artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show has become a political flashpoint, with conservatives accusing the artist of using the platform to promote his anti-Trump views on immigration. This controversy highlights the ongoing tension between the entertainment industry and the political right, as well as the NFL's efforts to diversify its programming and appeal to a broader audience.