On February 8, 2026 one of the most awarded and influential artists of our generation accumulated 128.2 million American viewers who witnessed history in the making. His decorated career includes multiple Grammy wins, like the first fully Spanish album to win Album of the Year. He was also the most streamed artist on Spotify in 2025. I am referring to the Puerto Rican singer and rapper Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, better known as Bad Bunny. His superbowl halftime show was delivered almost completely in Spanish and was packed full of Latin culture and American pride.
Controversy
Because it was entirely in Spanish, many critics argued that Bad Bunny’s show was anti-American. Critics questioned whether the Super Bowl, a symbol of American tradition, should feature a non-english setlist. Supporters argued that this was valid because Spanish is the second most spoken language in America. The US had no official language until March 1, 2025 when Donald Trump signed an executive order making English official. This goes against the diverse, mixed culture of the United States and this type of thinking is regressive.
On right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson’s “The Benny Show,” Corey Lewandowski, chief adviser to Homeland Security, and former campaign manager for Donald Trump, claimed that Bad Bunny “seems to hate America”. Bad Bunny avoids performing in the continental United States because he fears his fans will be targeted by immigration. Lewandowski responded to Bad Bunny’s comments saying, “There is nowhere that you can provide safe haven to people in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find you. We will apprehend you. We will put you in a detention facility, and we will deport you. So know that that is a real situation under this administration, completely contrary to how it used to be.” This seems to summarize the popular opinion among many right-winged Americans.
Turning Point USA Show
Turning Point USA, a nonprofit founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk and Bill Montgomery, decided to protest by having their own halftime show. The show aired simultaneously with Bad Bunny’s and served as an alternative meant to promote “faith, family, and freedom.” The concert featured country artists, including Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. The TPUSA show sparked controversy over its necessity and true message. In a country that already faces a cultural divide, the TPUSA show counteracted a show promoting unity and nationalism, deepening the wound.
Donald Trump’s Response
Shortly after the performance, Trump himself made critical comments on his social media platform Truth Social. He condemned the halftime show as “absolutely terrible” and a “slap in the face” to the country. He argued that the show was a poor reflection of American standards of “success” and “excellence”. He also criticized the use of Spanish and described the dancing as inappropriate for young viewers. This reaction seems completely unrelated to the quality of the performance, but rather hatred towards what it represents.
Despite the controversy, Bad Bunny’s show carried a message more powerful than the backlash surrounding it. Many Hispanic viewers were able to feel representation and pride in the show and their identities as Latinx and Americans. The show in many ways defended Bad Bunny’s message “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
