President Donald Trump criticized Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance, labeling it “absolutely terrible” and “one of the worst ever.”
It’s “an affront to the greatness of America” and a “slap in the face to our country,” Trump claimed via Truth Social.
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Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny—born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio—made history at the Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, Calif., delivering the first all-Spanish-language halftime set (save for a song performed in English by guest star Lady Gaga).
In reference to the Spanish-language focus, Trump claimed “nobody understands a word this guy is saying.” (A study in 2023 found that almost 500 million people worldwide speak Spanish as their mother tongue.)
Trump previously criticized the “ridiculous” decision to have Bad Bunny headline the Super Bowl, claiming he had “never heard” of the Puerto Rican musician.
The President was among a group of conservatives who instead championed Turning Point USA’s alternative to the Super Bowl halftime show. The “All American Halftime Show” featured performances from artists such as Kid Rock, a long-time Trump supporter. Last week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, when asked about Trump’s viewing plans, said she thought the President “would much prefer a Kid Rock performance over Bad Bunny.”
At the Grammy Awards on Feb. 1, Bad Bunny used his acceptance speeches to criticize how the Trump Administration is carrying out its immigration crackdown.
Calling out Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the musician said: “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say: ICE out!”
“We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans,” he said. “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.”
Although Bad Bunny didn’t directly mention the Trump Administration in his performance on Sunday, he used his time on the field to showcase a message of unity.
At the conclusion of his set, he held a football bearing the message: “Together, we are America.” A screen in the background displayed the words “the only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
Bad Bunny shouted out “God Bless America” and named multiple countries and territories, including Puerto Rico, while people behind him carried flags.
Several prominent figures praised the performance, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose response stood in stark contrast to that of Trump.
“America, the beautiful. Thank you, Bad Bunny,” said Newsom. His office also championed the set, calling it “beautiful.” Ahead of the performance, Newsom declared Super Bowl Sunday “Bad Bunny Day” in California. He made the announcement via a post that appeared to mock Trump’s social media style.
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