Quick Read
- Bad Bunny is scheduled to headline the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
- Singer Benson Boone expressed excitement for the performance, highlighting Bad Bunny’s talent and potential to attract new audiences.
- President Donald Trump called the selection ‘absolutely ridiculous’ and ‘a terrible choice,’ claiming it ‘sows hatred.’
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem threatened ICE presence at Super Bowl LX.
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended Bad Bunny’s selection, calling him ‘one of the most popular entertainers in the world’ and expecting a good show despite criticism.
SANTA CLARA (Azat TV) – Latin trap sensation Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is set to headline the highly anticipated Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. However, his selection has ignited a significant public debate, drawing both fervent support from fellow artists and sharp criticism from prominent political figures.
The announcement of Bad Bunny as the headliner has been met with a spectrum of reactions, from enthusiastic anticipation among fans and peers to outright condemnation from a U.S. President. This polarizing response underscores the increasing intersection of pop culture and political discourse in major national events.
Anticipation Builds for Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show
Despite the divisiveness, many within the music industry have expressed excitement for Bad Bunny’s upcoming performance. Singer Benson Boone, known for his hit “Beautiful Things,” shared his enthusiasm in a recent interview with Billboard on January 28, 2026. Boone stated he is “really excited” to watch the “King of Latin Trap” perform.
Boone acknowledged the “mixed reviews online” but emphasized the positive potential of the choice. “I think it’s cool to do something that brings in a whole new audience. So I’m excited to see what he does. I think he’s extremely talented and has a lot of really, really good music,” Boone told Billboard. This sentiment reflects a desire to see the Super Bowl Halftime Show evolve and embrace diverse musical genres and fan bases.
Legendary music mogul Jay-Z also came to Bad Bunny’s defense when questioned by a TMZ reporter about the criticism. “They love him. Don’t let them fool you,” Jay-Z stated, implying that the negative reactions do not represent the broader public sentiment towards the artist.
Political Figures Weigh In on Bad Bunny Selection
The selection of Bad Bunny has not been without significant political pushback. President Donald Trump publicly denounced the decision, labeling it “absolutely ridiculous” shortly after the announcement. In an interview with The New York Post, Trump specifically targeted the “Monaco” hitmaker, as well as opening act Green Day, stating, “I’m anti-them. I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible.”
Trump’s criticism extended to claiming he had “never heard of” Bad Bunny during a call into Newsmax’s Greg Kelly Reports last fall, despite the artist’s global fame. The political rhetoric escalated further when Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, threatened that ICE agents would “be all over” Super Bowl LX, raising concerns about potential immigration enforcement actions at the event.
This political opposition gains context from Bad Bunny’s past actions. Last year, the Puerto Rican artist made headlines when he chose not to bring his record-setting “Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour” to the U.S. He cited concerns over the Trump administration’s mass deportations and the aggressive use of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, expressing fears that “f***ing ICE could be outside [my concert].” This stance highlighted his willingness to use his platform to address political and social issues.
NFL Defends Halftime Show Choice
Amidst the swirling controversy, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the league’s decision to feature Bad Bunny. Speaking with The Atlantic, Goodell affirmed that Bad Bunny is “one of the most popular entertainers in the world.” He acknowledged the inevitability of criticism for such a high-profile event, stating, “I would say I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. We have hundreds of millions of people watching, but I have full confidence it’ll be a good show.”
Goodell’s comments suggest that the NFL views the selection as a strategic move to attract a broad, global audience, despite the anticipated backlash. The Super Bowl Halftime Show has a history of generating discussion, from wardrobe malfunctions to controversial artistic choices, often reflecting broader cultural shifts and societal tensions.
The Super Bowl LX Event Details
Super Bowl LX is scheduled for Sunday, February 8, 2026. Fans across the United States can tune in to watch the game and the highly anticipated Halftime Show on NBC, or stream the event live on Peacock. The game will culminate the 2025 NFL season, drawing an audience of hundreds of millions worldwide.
The intensifying debate surrounding Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime performance underscores a growing trend where major entertainment spectacles become battlegrounds for cultural and political ideologies, moving beyond mere entertainment to reflect deeper societal divisions and values.