President Donald Trump unleashed a blistering critique of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance, declaring it one of the worst ever and a direct insult to American values. His comments arrived via a lengthy Truth Social post shortly after the show wrapped up on February 8, 2026, during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Trump, attending a watch party in Florida rather than the game itself between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, focused his ire on the language, dancing, and overall message of the spectacle.
In his full statement, Trump wrote:
“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence. Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World. This “Show” is just a “slap in the face” to our Country, which is setting new standards and records every single day — including the Best Stock Market and 401(k)s in History! There is nothing inspirational about this mess of a Halftime Show and watch, it will get great reviews from the Fake News Media, because they haven’t got a clue of what is going on in the REAL WORLD — And, by the way, the NFL should immediately replace its ridiculous new Kickoff Rule. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, delivered a groundbreaking 14-minute performance entirely in Spanish, marking a historic first for the Super Bowl halftime slot. He wove together a medley of his hits including Tití Me Preguntó, Monaco, and EoO, incorporating collaborations like a Latin-infused take on Lady Gaga’s Die With A Smile and Ricky Martin’s Lo Que Le Pasó A Hawaii to emphasize cultural preservation. The stage transformed into vivid representations of Puerto Rican life, featuring a sugarcane field, nail salon, bar, and traditional casita home, all designed to celebrate family bonds, resilience, and pride in Latino heritage.
Performers executed dynamic choreography depicting wedding scenes with Latino dancers and flag bearers symbolizing unity across the Americas, while guest appearances from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin added collaborative energy. Celebrities like Pedro Pascal danced in the casita segment, with Cardi B, Karol G, Jessica Alba, and Alix Earle contributing to the supportive atmosphere. Bad Bunny climbed an electricity pylon in a nod to Hurricane Maria survivors, projecting messages such as “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” on a billboard and “Together, We Are America” on a football, aiming to inspire and validate the experiences of Hispanic audiences worldwide.
This showcase targeted the NFL’s expanding international and Hispanic fanbase, providing representation for millions of Spanish speakers in the United States through joyful, inclusive storytelling without overt political overtones. The production highlighted cultural elements to foster a sense of belonging and counter narratives of division. Bad Bunny’s history of advocating for issues like immigration reform added layers to the performance’s reception, though the focus remained on celebration and shared humanity.
Public reactions poured in swiftly on social media, with some users echoing Trump’s sentiments by criticizing the language barrier and choreography, while others praised the show as historic and energizing. One post described it as “incredible — historic, high-energy, and unforgettable,” directly countering the president’s view. Another highlighted the cultural divide, noting Trump’s rant ignited a “culture war firestorm” following the Spanish-heavy set.
Trump’s outburst reflects ongoing clashes between evolving cultural expressions and traditional views of national identity, particularly given Bad Bunny’s past criticisms of policies like immigration enforcement. Moments like these often amplify artists’ messages, drawing wider attention to themes of diversity. Ultimately, such debates encourage broader conversations about what defines excellence in a diverse society, even as they reveal persistent divides.
Sources:
- For the complete text of Trump’s post, check his Truth Social entry.
- More on the performance details appear in this BBC article.
- Additional coverage of reactions is available through The Guardian.
- And Rolling Stone.
