President Donald Trump expressed his discontent on Monday regarding Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny’s selection as the halftime performer for the 2026 Super Bowl, questioning the decision behind it.
During an interview with Newsmax’s Greg Kelly, Trump remarked that he had “never heard of” Bad Bunny, saying, “I don’t know who he is, and I don’t understand why they’re doing this. It seems quite bizarre. They blame the promoters who bring in entertainment. To me, it feels totally ridiculous.”
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, has stirred up conversations since the NFL began. He announced in late September that he would headline the fifth Super Bowl, scheduled for February 8th at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Known for his Spanish-only performances and frank comments about U.S. immigration policies, he had previously stated he wouldn’t perform in the U.S. again due to fears that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) might target fans.
The announcement quickly led to backlash, with some criticizing the NFL for failing to connect with its audience. Former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick argued that only English tracks should grace such a popular American event. Conservative voices, including Benny Johnson, also voiced their displeasure, claiming the NFL “self-destructs every year” by choosing Bad Bunny for the halftime show.
Interest in the topic swelled further following reports that ICE agents would be present at the event. Homeland Security Advisor Corey Lewandowski noted that “nowhere should provide illegally safe havens for people in this country,” mentioning plans for actions before and after the Super Bowl. Bad Bunny has previously described ICE officials as “motherfa***s” in social media posts criticizing their actions in Puerto Rico.
Recently recognized as one of the most streamed artists globally, Bad Bunny reportedly invested $2 million in establishing his record label, Limas Entertainment, with a former Venezuelan official, Rafael Jimenez Dunn, holding 51% of its stake through a Florida business, according to a 2022 court filing.
While hosting Saturday Night Live, which kicked off its 51st season, Bad Bunny humorously referenced his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show, joking, “Everyone is happy with that, even Fox News.” He then addressed the audience in Spanish, asking, “What do you mean?” highlighting that Puerto Rican artists would make history by performing in Spanish during the halftime show.
Some left-leaning critics, such as Molly John Fast from Vanity Fair, have praised Bad Bunny as a cultural figure embodying “Democrat values.” He gained attention as an artist even after Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump in the November 2024 presidential election.
