Trump Slams Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show, Sparking Latino Voter Backlash Fears

Republican strategists warn Trump's criticism of the Puerto Rican star's Spanish-language performance could further erode his support among Hispanic voters ahead of midterm elections.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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President Donald Trump's attack on Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, including a complaint that it was mostly in Spanish, has alarmed some Republican Hispanic strategists, politicians and business leaders. They warn it risks further eroding Trump's support among Latino voters ahead of November's congressional elections, where several key House races are unfolding in Hispanic-heavy districts. Some of Trump's staunchest Latino allies called the Republican attacks on the global music star and a performance seen as a rare prime-time celebration of Latino culture a political misstep as the party fights to hold its razor-thin majority.

Why it matters

Hispanics were central to the coalition that powered Trump's re-election in 2024, but their support has softened amid continued high prices, discontent over tariffs and his administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. Several key House races are unfolding in Hispanic-heavy districts, including in California, Arizona and Colorado, making Trump's comments on Bad Bunny's performance a potential liability for Republicans.

The details

Trump slammed Bad Bunny's February 8 halftime show as 'an affront to the Greatness of America' and a 'slap in the face' to the country. 'Nobody understands a word this guy is saying,' Trump wrote on his social media account, calling the dancing 'disgusting' and unsuitable for children. Even long-time Trump critics were baffled by the president's outburst, with one Republican strategist saying 'To see them doubling down on alienating the single most critical constituency they need for survival is beyond belief'.

  • Bad Bunny performed at the Super Bowl halftime show on February 8, 2026.
  • Trump made his comments criticizing the performance on his social media account on February 14, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who is currently serving his second term.

Bad Bunny

A Puerto Rican superstar musician who performed at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show.

Vianca Rodriguez

A former Trump administration official who served as deputy Hispanic communications director for the Republican National Committee during the 2024 campaign.

Mike Madrid

A Republican strategist who is an expert on Latino voting trends and a long-time critic of Trump.

Javier Palomarez

The president of the U.S. Hispanic Business Council.

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What they’re saying

“It's going to do us more damage than good. That shouldn't have been a battle to have been picked culturally.”

— Vianca Rodriguez, Former Trump administration official (Reuters)

“To see them doubling down on alienating the single most critical constituency they need for survival is beyond belief.”

— Mike Madrid, Republican strategist (Reuters)

“It's just another illustration of a president who is woefully shooting himself in the foot at every chance he possibly gets.”

— Javier Palomarez, President, U.S. Hispanic Business Council (Reuters)

What’s next

There are plans for Trump to travel to districts in border areas and those with large Latino populations to try to re-engage with Hispanic voters ahead of the midterm elections.

The takeaway

Trump's criticism of Bad Bunny's Spanish-language Super Bowl halftime show performance has alarmed some Republican strategists who warn it could further erode his support among Latino voters, a crucial voting bloc, ahead of the high-stakes 2026 midterm elections where control of the House of Representatives hangs in the balance.