NFL stands with Bad Bunny despite Super Bowl halftime backlash


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Summary

Super Bowl halftime decision

Commissioner Roger Goodell stated that Bad Bunny will remain the halftime act for the Super Bowl, despite backlash and criticism from President Donald Trump.

Bad Bunny’s background

Bad Bunny’s real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. He was born in Puerto Rico, has been nominated for ten Grammy Awards and won in categories such as best música urbana album and best Latin pop or urban album.

Touring and immigration concerns

Bad Bunny announced he would not tour in the United States due to reported concerns that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers might target fans outside his shows. However, shortly before the NFL announcement, Bad Bunny posted on X that he would do one show in the United States.


Full story

The NFL announced it will keep its original Super Bowl halftime headliner regardless of the amount of right-wing backlash. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Bad Bunny would remain the halftime act, even after President Donald Trump criticized the choice.

The commissioner said the NFL made the decision after careful consideration and that you can’t please everyone.

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Goodell said, “It’s carefully thought through. I would say that I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people that are watching. But, we’re confident that it’s going to be a great show and that he understands the platform that he’s on, and I think it’s going to be exciting and a united moment.”

Bad Bunny, who has openly criticized Trump, will likely perform in Spanish when he takes the stage on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium.

Following the announcement, the Department of Homeland Security announced Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials would be present at the Super Bowl.

Who is Bad Bunny?

Bad Bunny’s real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. He was born in Puerto Rico and has been nominated for 10 Grammys.

He won in the best música urbana album category for “Un Verano Sin Ti” and “El Último Tour del Mundo,” and in the best Latin pop or urban album category for “YHLQMDLG.”

His music has propelled Spanish-language hits to the top of the global charts. He has also been vocal about the social issues affecting Puerto Rico.

Earlier this month, Bad Bunny announced he would not be touring in the U.S. due to fears that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers would target fans outside of his shows.

However, an hour before the NFL made its announcement, he posted on X saying he would do one show in the U.S.

Jason K. Morrell (Morning Managing Editor), Emma Stoltzfus (Video Editor), and Matt Bishop (Digital Producer) contributed to this report.
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Why this story matters

The NFL's decision to keep Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl halftime performer highlights issues around entertainment choices, cultural representation and polarization following criticism from President Donald Trump and his allies. The situation underscores broader debates on inclusivity and political influence in major public events.

Cultural representation

Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican artist, is set to perform primarily in Spanish at the Super Bowl, which has prompted debate about language and the visibility of Latino artists on a major American stage.

Political and public backlash

The selection drew criticism from President Donald Trump and some conservative groups, illustrating ongoing cultural and political divisions over high-profile entertainment decisions.

NFL’s decision-making

According to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the league’s entertainment choices are "carefully thought through," showing how the NFL handles criticism and weighs popularity, diversity and unity in its high-visibility selections.

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Community reaction

Latino communities and many music fans have celebrated the selection as a milestone for representation, while conservative groups and some NFL fans have voiced disappointment and organized petitions or alternative events.

Global impact

Bad Bunny’s selection spotlights the global nature of both the NFL’s audience and the music industry as Latin music becomes increasingly mainstream, potentially influencing other international sporting and entertainment events.

Oppo research

Turning Point USA is creating an alternative Super Bowl halftime event promoting "faith and family," providing a channel for those opposed to Bad Bunny’s performance, though specific details of the lineup remain unconfirmed.

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Sources

  1. CBS News

Bias comparison

  • Media outlets on the left frame opposition to Bad Bunny as "MAGA Outrage" and "Anti-Bad Bunny" sentiment, detailing conservative "fury" over his "gender-bending wardrobe" and past criticism of the Trump administration, portraying his performance as a "United Moment" against efforts to paper over the country’s diversity.
  • Media outlets in the center acknowledge "MAGA outcry" but also highlight Goodell's statement that the decision was carefully thought through.
  • Not enough unique coverage from media outlets on the right to provide a bias comparison.

Media landscape

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Key points from the Left

  • NFL Commissioner stated there are no changes to Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show scheduled for Feb. 8, despite social media claims of alternative performers like Joan Baez and Neil Young.
  • The NFL confirmed that Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show on Feb. 8, despite calls for other artists like George Strait, which received 50,000 signatures on a petition.
  • MAGA influencers criticized Bad Bunny's performance, claiming he does not appeal to a broader audience, while he has over 80 million monthly Spotify listeners, according to music industry experts.

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Key points from the Center

  • On Oct. 22, 2025, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is not considering dropping Bad Bunny as Super Bowl LX halftime headliner and defended the choice as "carefully thought through."
  • Artists and Latino communities framed the slot as culturally meaningful, noting many musicians defended Bad Bunny, while Puerto Rican and U.S. Latino communities question social acceptance.
  • As a broader moment, the selection raises questions about unequal citizenship and representation because Bad Bunny's Super Bowl selection illustrates the Puerto Rican "alien-citizen paradox," and a referenced report says citizenship "is not equal, permanent, irrevocable citizenship" for Puerto Rican residents and citizens.

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Key points from the Right

  • NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed there are no plans to replace Bad Bunny as the halftime performer at Super Bowl LX in February 2026, despite a petition with over 50,000 signatures for George Strait to take his place.
  • Goodell stated the decision was carefully considered, noting, "I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism."
  • Some criticized Bad Bunny's past comments and his Spanish-only songs, but Goodell called him "one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world."
  • Goodell expressed confidence in the performance, saying, "We're confident it's going to be a great show."

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Sources

  1. CBS News

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