Former President Donald Trump has publicly voiced strong disapproval of Bad Bunny's selection as the Super Bowl halftime performer, terming the choice "absolutely ridiculous" and a "slap in the face to our country." These remarks, made through social media and interviews, follow a pattern of criticism directed at the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist and the NFL's entertainment decisions.

Context of Criticism
The period of public commentary regarding Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance began shortly after his selection was announced in late September. Trump's public statements, spanning from October 2025 through the recent Super Bowl event, indicate a consistent stance against the artist's participation.

Key Events and Statements:
Late September 2025: Bad Bunny announced as the Super Bowl LX halftime performer.
October 7, 2025: Multiple outlets report on Trump's initial strong criticisms, including statements made on Newsmax's "Greg Kelly Reports" and other interviews. He expressed unfamiliarity with the artist and questioned the decision-making process.
During Super Bowl (Recent): Trump reiterated his criticisms, calling the performance a "slap in the face" and an "affront to the Greatness of America," questioning the inspirational value and suggesting it would be praised by "Fake News Media."
Artist's Perspective and Performance
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is a globally recognized artist known for performing primarily in Spanish. His Super Bowl halftime show aimed to showcase his Puerto Rican heritage and celebrate Latin American culture.
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Performance Elements:
The show featured Bad Bunny singing a collection of his hit songs in Spanish.
Set design incorporated elements representing Caribbean sugarcane fields.
The performance concluded by highlighting countries across the Americas, from Chile to Canada, with a special focus on Puerto Rico, his birthplace.
Bad Bunny spoke about his journey and encouraged self-belief, stating, "It's for those who came before me… this is for my people, my culture, and our history."
Areas of Disagreement
The core of the dispute centers on the perceived appropriateness and impact of Bad Bunny's halftime show, with Trump and his supporters viewing it as divisive and lacking in universal appeal, while others see it as a celebration of cultural diversity.

| Aspect | Trump's Stance | Bad Bunny's Stance / Performance Intent |
|---|---|---|
| Artist's Unfamiliarity | "I don't know who he is." "I never heard of him." (Articles 4, 8) | A globally streamed artist with multiple Grammy awards. (Articles 4, 8) |
| Cultural Representation | Criticized as a "slap in the face to our country," "nobody understands a word." (Articles 1, 3) | Celebrated Caribbean and Latin American culture, including Puerto Rico. (Article 1) |
| Unifying Potential | Argued that better, "unifying entertainers" could have been chosen. (Article 3) | Presented as a win for his people, culture, and history. (Articles 3, 4) |
| Overall Impression | "Absolutely ridiculous," "an affront to the Greatness of America," "mess." (Articles 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8) | A significant moment for Latin music's exposure and a personal achievement. (Articles 1, 4) |
Reactions and Commentary
Commentary surrounding the event highlights a divergence of opinion regarding cultural representation in major U.S. sporting events.
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"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." - Donald Trump (Article 2)
"It’s more than a win for myself, it’s a win for all of us." - Bad Bunny (Articles 3, 4)
Some reports indicate that Bad Bunny has previously used his platform to criticize Trump's policies, particularly concerning immigration and ICE. Trump's administration and certain conservative figures have previously expressed reservations about the artist.
Summary of Findings
Donald Trump has repeatedly and strongly condemned Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance. His criticisms center on the artist's language (primarily Spanish), cultural background, and perceived lack of unifying appeal, which he frames as detrimental to the country. In contrast, Bad Bunny presented the performance as a historic opportunity to represent and celebrate his heritage, acknowledging its significance for his culture and people. The events underscore a notable difference in perspectives on cultural representation and artistic expression at prominent national events.
Primary Sources and Context
ABC News: Published one day ago, focusing on Trump's "slap in the face" comment and detailing Bad Bunny's performance elements and cultural references.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-calls-bad-bunnys-super-bowl-halftime-show/story?id=129980124
Entertainment Weekly (EW): Published eight hours ago, reporting on Trump's "affront to the Greatness of America" statement and his past criticisms.
https://ew.com/donald-trump-bad-bunny-super-bowl-half-time-show-reaction-11900922
Variety: Published eight hours ago, highlighting Trump's "nobody understands a word" comment and previous condemnations from his former campaign manager.
https://variety.com/2026/music/news/donald-trump-bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-show-1236656328/
New York Post: Published October 7, 2025, documenting Trump's "absolutely ridiculous" initial reaction and his unfamiliarity with the artist.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/07/sports/trump-slams-absolutely-ridiculous-bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-decision/
The New York Times (The Athletic): Published October 7, 2025, reporting on Trump's interview statements and Bad Bunny's previous political stances.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6697371/2025/10/07/donald-trump-bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime/
HuffPost: Published October 7, 2025, detailing Trump's "fumed" reaction and linking his criticism to Bad Bunny's stance on ICE.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftimen68e4aa6ee4b05e212f2151be
Times Now News: Published October 7, 2025, exploring reasons behind Trump's "raging" comments and the political landscape surrounding the event.
https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/nfl/why-donald-trump-is-raging-over-bad-bunnys-nfl-super-bowl-2026-gig-heres-the-real-reason-article-152959608
The Wrap: Published October 7, 2025, reporting Trump's claim of not knowing Bad Bunny and his slamming of the NFL's decision.
https://www.thewrap.com/trump-slams-nfl-bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-show/
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