09-02-2026

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show Sparks Controversy

Date: 09-02-2026
Sources: bbc.com: 1 | edition.cnn.com: 2 | nypost.com: 4 | nytimes.com: 1
Image for cluster 2
Image Source:

Source: nypost.com

Image content: The image depicts a man standing on top of a truck, addressing the audience while surrounded by a group of people dancing on the field. A crowd is visible in the background, and the truck has a license plate that reads "PERREO!" Here is a concise 3-sentence description of the image: A man in white attire stands on top of a green and yellow truck, gesturing to the crowd. Several dancers are positioned around the truck, some standing on it, while others are on the ground. The scene is set against a backdrop of a large crowd of spectators in the stands, with tall plants behind the truck.

Summary

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance was a vibrant celebration of Puerto Rican culture and Latin heritage, featuring guest stars and a message of unity, but was criticized by former President Donald Trump as 'one of the worst, EVER' and sparked controversy among conservative circles.

Key Points

  • Bad Bunny performed entirely in Spanish, becoming the first artist to do so at the Super Bowl halftime show
  • The performance was a love letter to Puerto Rico, featuring cultural references and a tribute to those who died in Hurricane Maria
  • Despite expectations of a political statement, Bad Bunny promoted a message of American unity, ending with 'God bless America'
  • Former President Donald Trump criticized the performance on social media, calling it 'an affront to the Greatness of America'
  • The show received positive reviews overall, with some critics praising its celebration of Latin culture and others criticizing the music as unimpressive

Articles in this Cluster

Super Bowl half-time show: Bad Bunny piles on Puerto Rican patriotism and

Bad Bunny performed at the Super Bowl half-time show, becoming the first artist to perform entirely in Spanish. His 14-minute set was a love letter to Puerto Rico, featuring guest performances from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. Despite expectations of a political statement against the US administration, Bad Bunny promoted a message of American unity, ending his performance with 'God bless America' and listing nations of Central, South, and North America. The show included nods to Puerto Rico's culture and history, including a tribute to those who died in Hurricane Maria. US President Donald Trump criticized the performance on social media, calling it 'absolutely terrible' and 'an affront to the Greatness of America'.
Entities: Bad Bunny, Puerto Rico, Super Bowl, Lady Gaga, Ricky MartinTone: neutralSentiment: positiveIntent: inform

Look of the Week: Bad Bunny’s minimalist outfits didn’t distract from Super Bowl celebration — that was the point | CNNClose icon

The article discusses Bad Bunny's minimalist outfits during his Super Bowl halftime show performance, praising his decision to keep the focus on the celebration of culture and music rather than making a bold fashion statement. Despite speculation that he would use his outfit to subvert masculine stereotypes or stage a protest, Bad Bunny opted for a simple, all-white ensemble that reflected his vision for the halftime show: a celebration of unity and love. The article highlights how Bad Bunny's style has always defied expectations and how his fashion choices are often used to make a point, but notes that the Super Bowl was not the right occasion for that. The production wardrobe still paid homage to Puerto Rico, with performers wearing traditional 'pava' straw hats and the colors of the Puerto Rican flag.
Entities: Bad Bunny, Super Bowl, Puerto Rico, Zara, GrammysTone: positiveSentiment: positiveIntent: inform

Trump calls Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show performance ‘one of the worst, EVER’ | CNN PoliticsClose icon

Former President Donald Trump criticized Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show performance, calling it 'one of the worst, EVER' on his Truth Social platform. Trump denounced the performance as a 'slap in the face' to America, criticizing the language and choreography. Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican rapper, performed with several big hits and made appearances with stars like Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. The performance included a unifying message, expanding 'God bless America' to include all nations of the Americas. Trump's criticism was not surprising given his previous statements against Bad Bunny's selection for the halftime show. The performance was well-received by many fans and sparked controversy among conservative circles.
Entities: Donald Trump, Bad Bunny, Super Bowl, Truth Social, Puerto RicoTone: negativeSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime stage shines — but music goes down rabbit hole

The article discusses Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance, praising its visual effects but criticizing the music. The author, a self-proclaimed sentimental fool, was initially excited to watch the halftime show but was disappointed by Bad Bunny's performance, calling it a 'musical dud.' The article highlights the NFL's efforts to expand its global footprint, particularly in the Spanish-speaking market, and suggests that while Bad Bunny was a good choice for this goal, his music was not impressive. The author also criticizes Jon Bon Jovi's introduction of the New England Patriots and praises Charlie Puth's national anthem performance. Overall, the article provides a mixed review of the Super Bowl halftime show and surrounding events.
Entities: Bad Bunny, Super Bowl, NFL, New England Patriots, Jon Bon JoviTone: negativeSentiment: negativeIntent: critique

Michele Tafoya didn't watch Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show

Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter turned conservative commentator, chose not to watch Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, instead opting to fold laundry. The NFL's decision to have Bad Bunny perform created controversy leading up to the game. Tafoya has since filed paperwork to run for governor of Minnesota as a Republican. The article also discusses Tafoya's broadcasting career and the details of the Super Bowl game, including the halftime show and the Seahawks' victory over the Patriots.
Entities: Michele Tafoya, Bad Bunny, Super Bowl, NFL, Levi's StadiumTone: neutralSentiment: neutralIntent: inform

Tom Brady's one-word reaction to Super Bowl 2026 halftime show

Tom Brady reacted to Bad Bunny's Super Bowl 2026 halftime show with a one-word response: 'Amazing!!!!!!!!!'. The future Hall of Fame quarterback was impressed by the star-studded performance, which included Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, and Cardi B. Brady was seen mingling with influencer Alix Earle at a Super Bowl bash in San Francisco, and he also made an on-field appearance before kickoff with past and present NFL greats. The article also mentions Brady's recent interactions with Earle and his support for the Patriots and owner Robert Kraft during the big game.
Entities: Tom Brady, Bad Bunny, Super Bowl 2026, Lady Gaga, Ricky MartinTone: positiveSentiment: positiveIntent: inform

Trump slams Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show

Former President Trump criticized Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, calling it 'one of the worst, EVER' and 'an affront to the Greatness of America.' He expressed disapproval of the performance being in Spanish and the choreography, which he described as 'disgusting.' The show featured Bad Bunny performing with references to Puerto Rico, cameos from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, and a message of unity. Trump also mentioned his preference for Turning Point USA's All-American Halftime Show and criticized the new Kickoff Rule in football.
Entities: Donald Trump, Bad Bunny, Super Bowl LX, Puerto Rico, Lady GagaTone: negativeSentiment: negativeIntent: critique

Bad Bunny Delivers a Love Letter to Puerto Rico at Super Bowl Halftime - The New York Times

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance was a vibrant celebration of Latin heritage and Puerto Rican culture, featuring a diverse setlist, celebrity cameos, and cultural references. The show was a kaleidoscopic blast of merriment, showcasing the most ecstatic aspects of Latin culture. Bad Bunny delivered a message of unity and pride, referencing his Grammy win and addressing issues affecting Puerto Rico. The performance was met with speculation and controversy beforehand, but ultimately received positive reviews.
Entities: Bad Bunny, Puerto Rico, Super Bowl, Lady Gaga, Ricky MartinTone: positiveSentiment: positiveIntent: inform