On Sunday, Sep. 28, The Super Bowl LX halftime show performer was finally revealed. Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican rapper, singer, and producer, will headline the Super Bowl halftime show at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This decision has sparked controversy and political debate, with many members of the Republican Party criticizing the choice. Notably, they have complained that all of his songs are in Spanish despite the Super Bowl being an American event. Furthermore, they have criticized his decision not to tour in the United States out of fear of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting his fans. On the contrary, supporters point out his worldwide popularity and growing following.
Notably, the response by the White House has been quite negative. “I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it,” Trump said in his Newsmax interview.
This response is quite surprising, given Bunny is a three-time Grammy Award winner and one of the most played artists on Spotify. Nevertheless, Trump’s view is a popular sentiment among the White House and the Republican Party. In fact, the negativity around his upcoming performance has led Turning Point USA to announce an “All-American Halftime Show” to counter Bad Bunny’s performance. This demonstrates the extent of resentment towards Bad Bunny’s performance, and many are intrigued to see how it turns out on Super Bowl Sunday.
While the Republican Party’s response has been aggressive, it is unsurprising given Bad Bunny’s public hostility towards the Trump Administration and more particularly against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He has frequently spoken out against ICE’s treatment of immigrants, offering a voice for the many Latinos afraid to speak out. Furthermore, his public endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 election is likely to have upset Trump and other Republicans.
Despite the politics around the halftime show, it is guaranteed to be full of unique sets and memorable moments. Regardless of the controversy, Bad Bunny’s appearance is an important moment for Latino representation in American entertainment.
