When the NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced that Bad Bunny will headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show in February, many conservatives online were infuriated. And while the immediate outrage, for many, felt considerably predictable, experts in political science, pop culture and music are calling out several of the glaring issues with the backlash, including criticism that the artist’s songs are performed primarily in Spanish.
Several right-wing accounts on X, formerly Twitter, were furious that Bad Bunny has been loudly critical of President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies, calling his selection as the halftime headliner a so-called “political” choice.
Last year, the Puerto Rican global superstar had signaled his support for former Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. He took a shot at Trump and his administration’s immigration policies in his music video for “NUEVAYoL,” which debuted in July. He had also previously said he avoided planning concert stops in mainland U.S. out of fear that his fans would be targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Bad Bunny, real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has since celebrated being selected to headline the halftime show at the big game on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California.
