The NFL is facing major criticism following its announcement that artist Bad Bunny will perform at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show.
Critics are pointing out that the decision appears political as Bad Bunny, who hails from Puerto Rico, has refused to perform in the United States due to his disagreement with immigration enforcement and has openly denigrated Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, calling them “motherf***ers” and “sons of bitches” in a <a href="https://x.com/MillyMendezpr/status/1935082845803839745">video</a> he posted to Instagram in June.
The three-time Grammy Award winner said during an <a href="https://i-d.co/article/bad-bunny-puerto-rico-residency-issue-375-cover/">interview</a> earlier this month that he didn’t book any tour stops in the United States because he was worried ICE agents would target concert attendees.
“&#8230;There was the issue of — like, f***ing ICE could be outside (my concert). And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.”
The singer, whose real name is Benito Ocasio, released a <a href="https://media.nfl.com/news-and-releases/music-entertainment/global-sensation-bad-bunny-to-perform-at-apple-music-super-bowl-">statement</a> Sunday about performing at the Super Bowl. 
“What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history,” he said. 
Roc Nation will produce the show in conjunction with Apple Music. Company chairman Jay-Z said in a statement, “What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.”
The move is being interpreted as a political statement because Ocasio has been outspoken in his political beliefs. He endorsed Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election. 
Bad Bunny also supports the blurring of gender roles. “What defines a man, what defines being masculine, what defines being feminine?” he <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/bad-bunny-june-cover-profile">said</a> in a 2022 interview with GQ. “To me, a dress is a dress.” The Left celebrates the singer for wearing makeup and dresses as a way to protest against traditional masculinity.
On July 4, the singer released a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU5V5WZVcVE">music video</a> for his song, “NUEVAYoL,” which included a voice meant to sound like President Trump apologizing for his crackdown on illegal immigration. 
“I want to apologize to the immigrants in America. I mean the United States. I know America is the whole continent,” the faux Trump voice says. “This country is nothing without the immigrants.”
This, along with other factors, led to an avalanche of backlash on social media. 
Conservative activist Robby Starbuck noted how most of Bad Bunny’s songs aren’t even in English. “This is not a pick designed to unite football fans or let people just enjoy the show. It was a pick designed to divide fans, and no doubt Bad Bunny will find some way to push a woke message,” he shared on X. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Bad Bunny was picked by <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RocNation?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RocNation</a> to play the Super Bowl this year.
He made the following racist comment: &#8220;I highly doubt the type of gringos I don’t fuck with listen to me. Those were all the people at the Super Bown who were pissed odd about how Latino the halftime show… <a href="https://t.co/UqU5Ksobkm">pic.twitter.com/UqU5Ksobkm</a>
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) <a href="https://twitter.com/robbystarbuck/status/1972668839222526326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
“Are NFL owners in on this idiocy or are they just culturally that disconnected from reality and how [NFL commissioner Roger Goodell] uses the NFL to push left wing social issues?” asked Starbuck. “Is it that hard to pick a unifying music act who doesn’t want to peddle woke propaganda?”
“&#8230;This isn’t about music, it’s about putting a guy on stage who hates Trump and MAGA,” Starbuck concluded.
“I&#8217;m thoroughly convinced the NFL has no idea who Bad Bunny actually is,” another person <a href="https://x.com/redsteeze/status/1972498134145376610">quipped</a>.
The Super Bowl is scheduled to take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

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NFL Picks Anti-ICE, Anti-Trump Rapper Bad Bunny For Super Bowl Halftime Show