**Bad Bunny Brings a Political Statement to the Super Bowl Halftime Show**

Javier Villuendas
09.02.2026 – 15:22 | Updated: 09.02.2026 – 17:28

Bad Bunny can finally rest easy. In what is being called one of the most tense halftime shows ever, with U.S. President Donald Trump targeting the reggaeton artist in the months leading up to the event amidst a climate of heightened scrutiny from immigration authorities, this morning’s performance was as political as it was musical—a 13-minute manifesto celebrating Latin culture.

This was not just another concert; it was a declaration of love and advocacy for Latin America set against the backdrop of recent contentious immigration raids, which have even resulted in the deaths of political opponents. The opening line of the show, “Qué rico es ser latino,” set the tone, delivered not by Bad Bunny but by a Puerto Rican worker in a traditional jíbaro hat, strumming a guitar on a plantation that was remarkably recreated within the stadium.

As Bad Bunny kicked off the show with “Tití me pregunto,” he donned a T-shirt emblazoned with the number 64—his mother’s birth year—a symbolic gift given to all employees at Inditex’s headquarters in Arteijo (A Coruña), coincidentally on the same day. Every detail of this legendary performance was infused with symbolism and subtle nods to Puerto Rico. Highlights included the iconic sapo concho, a species native to Puerto Rico facing extinction due to environmental destruction, and a tribute to Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina,” featuring a surprise appearance by Ricky Martin, who had previously marched alongside Bad Bunny to demand the resignation of Governor Rosselló in 2019.

The halftime show was a rich tapestry of homage to his homeland, with his latest album, *DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS*—which earned him the Grammy for ‘Best Album of the Year,’ making him the first Spanish-language artist to achieve this—serving as a backdrop. Bad Bunny made a powerful defense of Latino immigration, laced with humor, as seen in the initial sign declaring, “Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio presents the halftime show of the Super Tazón,” marking his historic achievement as the first artist to perform a halftime show exclusively in Spanish.

As expected, the performance was a blend of popular hits including “Yo perreo sola,” “Safaera,” “VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR,” “EoO,” “Monaco,” “Die With a Smile” (with Lady Gaga), “BAILE iNOLVIDABLE” (also featuring Lady Gaga), “NUEVAYoL,” “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii” (with Ricky Martin), “El apagón” (a protest anthem), and “CAFé CON RON,” concluding with “DTMF.”

The production was grand, featuring hundreds of top-tier dancers and recreating a vibrant Puerto Rican neighborhood with local businesses signposted in Spanish, even showcasing a wedding celebration that activated the island’s traditional music and dance styles like plena and bomba during “CAFé CON RON.” At one point, Bad Bunny exclaimed, “¡Estás escuchando música de Puerto Rico!” solidifying his role as a cultural ambassador.

The performance’s climax came when Bad Bunny declared, “God Bless America,” the only English words he spoke throughout the show, before listing Latin American countries alongside the United States and Canada. This rhetorical move emphasized that America encompasses much more than just the nation governed by Donald Trump.

“Here’s to my neighbors. Now everyone wants to be Latino, but they lack the flavor,” he quipped, eliciting cheers from an audience that reportedly surpassed last year’s record, though official figures are still awaited.

The aftermath was equally charged, as expected. Donald Trump, despite claiming he wouldn’t watch the Super Bowl, took to social media to express his disdain over the performance, calling it “absolutely terrible” and a disgrace to American greatness, claiming nobody understood what Bad Bunny was saying and criticizing the dancing as inappropriate for children.

Throughout the performance, Bad Bunny also delivered a poignant message of self-empowerment, particularly relevant in the current climate of immigration enforcement and low self-esteem among marginalized communities: “My name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and if I’m here at Super Bowl LX, it’s because I never stopped believing in myself. You should believe in yourself too. You are worth more than you think, believe me.”

Between the outrage from the establishment and the jubilant expression of cultural pride from Bad Bunny, the Super Bowl transcended mere entertainment, evolving into a powerful Latino manifesto. Reflecting on the event, Bad Bunny echoed his earlier Grammy sentiment: “The only thing more….”