NFL faces MAGA backlash over Bad Bunny halftime show
Far-right commentators are voicing outrage online after the NFL announced that Bad Bunny will headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. The Puerto Rican artist, one of the most-streamed musicians in the world, has recently stirred political debate after saying he would largely avoid performing in the continental U.S. due to fears that ICE raids could target his concerts. "I think I'll do just one date in the United States," he said on X, a comment that critics have seized on to question his selection for one of the nation’s most-watched entertainment events.
MAGA influencers and conservative social media accounts accused the NFL of choosing an artist who they claim is hostile to their values. One viral post labeled Bad Bunny “a demonic Marxist” who was being given the biggest stage during what the poster called “a Christian revival.” Conservative commentator Greg Price criticized the choice, arguing that the NFL ignored Bad Bunny’s past comments about ICE and immigration enforcement. Filmmaker Robby Starbuck questioned whether Bad Bunny fit the culture of American football, while podcaster Benny Johnson called him a “massive Trump hater” and noted he doesn’t sing in English. California Governor Gavin Newsom pushed back at critics, joking in a reply that Johnson probably listens to Bad Bunny himself.
The NFL did not issue a response to the backlash, which echoes past controversies over politically charged halftime shows. Kendrick Lamar’s recent performance drew more than 100 complaints to the FCC, with some viewers alleging there weren’t enough white performers on stage. Beyoncé faced criticism from right-wing voices for what they called an anti-police message in her show, while Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s performance — which included Bad Bunny as a guest — sparked debate after featuring imagery some interpreted as referencing migrant detention centers.
Despite the political firestorm, Bad Bunny remains one of the biggest stars globally. He ranked as the third-most-streamed artist worldwide on Spotify last year and holds the record for the most-streamed album ever with Un Verano Sin Ti. His live shows are among the most lucrative in the world, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact for Puerto Rico and drawing record-breaking streaming audiences, including his Amazon Prime–streamed residency finale that became the platform’s most-watched single-artist performance.
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