What to Know About the Political Feud Behind Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance

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On Sunday, Bad Bunny will be the first Latin solo artist ever to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, marking a historic moment.

Okay, so everyone’s been talking about Bad Bunny’s performance, especially after the Grammys where he and a lot of other stars subtly called out Donald Trump’s policies on immigration. It really makes you wonder if this performance is going to be about more than just the music – is he going to make a statement?

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell publicly supported choosing the 31-year-old artist for the Super Bowl halftime show, just one day after the Grammy Awards, during the league’s yearly address to fans and media.

As a fan, it was clear last night why Bad Bunny is considered one of the best artists out there – that’s why the NFL chose him! What really struck me, though, is how well he understands what the Super Bowl represents. It’s not just about the performance, but about bringing people together through art and talent. He gets that this is a huge moment to connect with others, and I think he’ll deliver an amazing show that does just that. Other artists have done the same, and I have a feeling he’ll be right up there with them.

After the NFL announced Bad Bunny would perform at its October event, Donald Trump criticized the choice as “completely absurd.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem added that immigration enforcement agents would have a strong presence at the Super Bowl, stating that only law-abiding Americans who love the country should attend. Other conservative figures have also spoken out against the NFL’s decision.

Bad Bunny, appearing alongside Green Day, has publicly criticized the government’s strict immigration policies. This criticism comes after widespread outrage over the deaths of two American citizens in Minneapolis last month, who were killed by federal agents in separate incidents just weeks apart.

Apple Music released a trailer for Bad Bunny’s upcoming performance, set to his song “BAILE INoLVIDABLE.” The trailer shows Bad Bunny dancing with a diverse group of people from various backgrounds and cultures, ending with the message: “The world will dance.”

I caught Bad Bunny’s comments at the press conference, and honestly, he seems genuinely focused on delivering a good time. He described the upcoming event as a massive party, promising fans the energy they’ve come to expect from him, and – importantly – a strong showcase of his culture. It sounds like he’s really leaning into authenticity and wants everyone to have fun.

Here’s a look at Bad Bunny’s past statements against Donald Trump and the reactions his upcoming performance has sparked from those who disagree with him.

Bad Bunny’s anti-Trump history 

Bad Bunny has emerged as a prominent voice against the Trump Administration, and he’s been speaking out about political issues since the beginning of Trump’s presidency.

Just a week before his big concert at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the Puerto Rican artist used the Grammy Awards to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and show his support for immigrants. While accepting the award for Best Urban Music Album, he shouted, “ICE out!” which received a lot of applause from the audience, including other artists like Billie Eilish and Olivia Dean who voiced similar opinions that night.

We’re not brutal, inhuman, or otherworldly – we are simply people, and we are Americans,” he said. “It’s hard not to feel anger right now, and I was thinking about how we can become infected by it – I don’t quite have the right words in English. But the more hatred there is, the stronger it becomes.

That night, while accepting his album of the year award – a speech he gave primarily in Spanish – he dedicated it to everyone who had left their home country to pursue their dreams.

Bad Bunny’s recent world tour will not include any shows in the United States. He made this decision due to concerns about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations, and the tour will instead focus on Latin America, Australia, Europe, and Japan.

I read in i-D magazine that he was worried about fans coming to see the show, especially people from the US, Latinos, and Puerto Ricans. He was really concerned that ICE might be present, and it was something they’d been discussing a lot. It was a real worry for them, knowing people were traveling to see them and potentially facing issues with immigration enforcement.

Before hitting the road, Bunny spent roughly two months performing in Puerto Rico, attracting thousands of international fans to the island.

Beyond accepting awards and going on tour, Bunny has expressed support for immigrants through his music, a move seen as a criticism of the current government. In the video for his song “NUEVAYoL,” released on Independence Day, a Puerto Rican flag is shown draped over the Statue of Liberty’s crown.

The scene shifts to a group of men listening to the radio. They hear what sounds like the President admitting an error and offering an apology to immigrants in America. He states that the country wouldn’t be what it is without them, specifically mentioning Mexicans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Venezuelans, and Cubans.

Last June, Bunny shared a video on Instagram showing ICE officers in Puerto Rico leading people to unmarked vehicles on Avenida Pontezuela in Carolina, criticizing their actions.

In a video, Bad Bunny said, speaking in Spanish, that people in RAV4s were present in Pontezuela. He expressed frustration with their presence, saying they should ‘let the people alone and work’ instead of causing trouble.

As a film and music fan, I found it really interesting to see Bad Bunny get politically involved. In 2024, he publicly backed Kamala Harris for president, going up against Trump. It reminded me that back in 2020, he was already showing support for Joe Biden. Actually, Biden’s campaign even used a remix of Bunny’s song, “Pero Ya No,” specifically targeting Puerto Rican and Mexican voters in those crucial swing states – a pretty smart move, I thought!

During the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, Bunny expressed his views in a song published by TIME, stating, “F–K DONALD TRUMP! PRESIDENTE DEL RACISMO,” which translates to “President of Racism.”

Conservative reactions

Several conservative groups and individuals have criticized Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show. This includes Turning Point USA, a right-wing organization founded by Charlie Kirk, which is putting on its own alternative show called the “All American Halftime Show” featuring artists like Kid Rock and Brantley Gilbert.

Corey Lewandowski, who used to manage Donald Trump’s campaigns and currently works at the Department of Homeland Security, suggested that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents might be present at the Super Bowl this weekend.

According to Corey Lewandowski, there’s no place in the United States where people living here illegally can be safely protected, even at major events like the Super Bowl. He made this statement while appearing on a podcast hosted by conservative YouTuber Benny Johnson.

A campaign to have George Strait perform instead of Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl halftime show has gained over 120,000 signatures. The petition argues that the halftime show should celebrate American culture, be suitable for families, and focus on uniting the country, rather than making a political statement.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson criticized the NFL’s choice, calling it a mistake and suggesting they should have chosen an artist more people know. Despite this, Bad Bunny was the most-streamed artist on Spotify for the fourth year in a row in 2025.

Trump has declared he will be skipping the Super Bowl, saying it’s “too far away.”

I was really struck by what Trump had to say about Bunny and Green Day, especially since they’ve both been critical of him. He basically said he dislikes them and thinks their criticism is awful, claiming it just creates more division and animosity. It felt like a pretty direct and negative response to them speaking out.

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2026-02-07 02:07