Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show made history — but it also sparked fierce backlash from Donald Trump and MAGA allies during the big game.
Bad Bunny’s highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime show was meant to celebrate global music and Latino representation.
Instead, it quickly became a flashpoint in America’s ongoing culture wars, with President Donald Trump launching a blistering attack during the game.
As millions watched the Grammy-winning artist take the Super Bowl stage, Trump turned to Truth Social to condemn the performance, calling it “one of the worst halftime shows EVER.” He argued that the show failed to reflect American values and complained that viewers “don’t understand a word this guy is saying.”
Trump also criticized the choreography, claiming it was inappropriate for children watching at home.
The former president went further, framing the performance as a national insult. He labeled it a “slap in the face to our country” and accused the NFL and media of being out of touch with what he described as the “real world.”
Trump ended his post by promoting his signature slogan, “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” while also taking aim at the league’s new kickoff rule.
Earlier in the evening, Trump had struck a far more upbeat tone, posting a message encouraging Americans to enjoy the Super Bowl and celebrating what he claimed were historic economic achievements.
The backlash didn’t stop with Trump. When the NFL and Apple Music announced Bad Bunny as the 2026 halftime performer last September, criticism from MAGA figures came fast. Trump’s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski publicly condemned the choice, accusing the NFL of selecting an artist who “seems to hate America.”
Lewandowski also controversially suggested that ICE agents would be present at the Super Bowl, comments that sparked outrage online.
Bad Bunny’s selection was historic for another reason: it marked his only U.S. performance scheduled for the year. His Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour notably skips the United States, something the artist has previously linked to concerns over immigration enforcement and ICE raids.
Despite the criticism, Bad Bunny has consistently framed the halftime show as a milestone for Latino communities. When he hosted Saturday Night Live last October, he said the moment represented the contributions of Latinos in the U.S., emphasizing that their impact “can never be erased.”
Online, reactions were sharply divided. Supporters praised the show as bold, cultural, and long overdue, while critics echoed Trump’s complaints.
One thing was clear by the final whistle: Bad Bunny’s halftime show wasn’t just entertainment — it became a statement, whether viewers wanted it to be or not.
