Trump Slams Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show: “Absolutely Ridiculous”

POTUS Donald Trump & Musician Bad Bunny

In yet another flashpoint in America’s never-ending culture wars, president Donald Trump has taken aim at the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny as the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime performer — calling the decision “absolutely ridiculous,” even as he admitted he had “never heard of him.”

Trump made the comments during an appearance on Newsmax’s “Greg Kelly Reports,” where the conversation quickly veered into political territory. The host referred to the Puerto Rican megastar dismissively as “the Bad Bunny rabbit or whatever his name is,” prompting Trump to respond in kind.

“I’ve never heard of him,” Trump said. “I don’t know who he is… I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s crazy. And then they blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment — I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
(Source: Variety)

A Pop Icon Meets a Political Crossfire

The controversy began after the NFL and Apple Music jointly announced on Sept. 28 that Bad Bunny would headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2026. It’s a historic booking: the performance will be his only U.S. appearance that year amid his Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour, which spans December 2025 through July 2026 — but notably skips U.S. cities entirely.

According to an interview with I-D Magazine, Bad Bunny explained that concerns over ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activity influenced his decision to avoid touring in the United States. “F***ing ICE could be outside [my concert],” he said, describing real worries among his team about immigration raids.

That remark — and his long-standing criticism of U.S. immigration policy — appear to have placed the reggaeton star directly in the crosshairs of Trump’s political circle.

Former Aides and Allies Pile On

Shortly after Trump’s remarks, his former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski condemned the NFL’s decision and issued a pointed warning:

“There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else,” Lewandowski told reporters, promising ICE presence at next year’s game.

Lewandowski’s comments were swiftly echoed by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who appeared on The Benny Johnson Podcast to say that “ICE will be all over that place” and that agents had “every intention to enforce the law” at the event.

She added, “I have the responsibility to make sure everyone who goes to the Super Bowl has the opportunity to enjoy it and to leave. And that’s what America is about.”

For Trump-world conservatives, Bad Bunny’s selection is symbolic of what they see as Hollywood and the NFL’s “progressive agenda.” As Lewandowski put it, “It’s shameful they picked someone who seems to hate America so much. We should be trying to bring people together, not divide them.”
(Source: Yahoo Entertainment)

Bad Bunny’s Response: “It’s a Win for All of Us”

While Bad Bunny hasn’t issued a direct rebuttal to Trump or his allies, he did address the controversy with trademark charisma during his Saturday Night Live monologue on Oct. 3.

“I’m very happy,” he told the live audience. “And I think everyone is happy about it — even Fox News.”

He then switched briefly into Spanish, speaking directly to the millions of Latinos watching:

“Especially all of the Latinos and Latinas in the world here in the United States who have worked to open doors. It’s more than a win for myself; it’s a win for all of us. Our footprints and our contributions in this country — no one can erase that.”

Then, with a smile, he closed:

“If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”

The moment drew a standing ovation — not just for its humor, but for its quiet defiance.

The Broader Picture: When Pop and Politics Collide

The clash between Trump’s camp and Bad Bunny isn’t an isolated skirmish — it’s part of a long-running struggle over who gets to represent America on its largest cultural stage.

The Super Bowl Halftime Show, once dominated by mainstream rock and pop acts, has become increasingly global and diverse in recent years. Performers like Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and The Weeknd have reflected the NFL’s attempt to reach broader, more multicultural audiences — often drawing criticism from conservative commentators in the process.

Bad Bunny, one of the most streamed artists on the planet, represents a demographic shift that’s impossible to ignore: the rise of Latino music as a dominant global force. His fusion of reggaeton, trap, and pop has redefined popular music, and his decision to perform in Spanish on global stages challenges traditional assumptions of what “American entertainment” should sound like.

That cultural shift — more than his politics — may be what truly unsettles his critics.

The Economics of Influence

Beyond politics, Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl gig carries huge economic weight. Each halftime performer typically sees a surge in streaming and sales, and the performance often repositions careers. When Rihanna performed in 2023, her music streams jumped by 390% within a week.

For a global superstar like Bad Bunny, the show could cement his crossover appeal even further — a statement not just about music, but market power. Brands tied to the event, from Apple Music to Pepsi, know that a single viral performance can shape consumer behavior for months.

(Interested in the intersection of music and marketing?)
Check out Hit Makers: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction — a fascinating look at how culture, algorithms, and influence collide in modern entertainment.

Looking Ahead

While Trump’s criticism has generated headlines, it’s unlikely to derail the NFL’s halftime plans — or dampen enthusiasm among Bad Bunny’s fans.

If anything, the uproar underscores the cultural and political potency of a 30-minute show watched by over 100 million Americans. For some, the stage is just entertainment; for others, it’s a reflection of identity, belonging, and the right to be seen.

Bad Bunny’s upcoming performance won’t just be a concert. It will be a cultural litmus test — one that says as much about America’s divides as it does about its rhythms.

Sources:

Location: Washington, DC, USA

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