Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance has sparked a fierce backlash from conservative figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump and musician Kid Rock, turning what was meant to be a global celebration of music into a culture-war flashpoint.
Trump took to Truth Social shortly after the show, blasting the performance as “absolutely terrible” and calling it “one of the worst” halftime shows ever. He went further, claiming it was an “affront” to America and insisting it failed to represent what he described as the nation’s standards of success and excellence. Trump also complained that viewers “couldn’t understand a word” of the Spanish-language performance and criticized the choreography, arguing it was inappropriate for children watching worldwide.
Kid Rock echoed some of those sentiments during an appearance on The Ingraham Angle, though his tone was noticeably more restrained. The 55-year-old singer admitted he didn’t understand Bad Bunny’s performance, saying he saw “a lot of dancers” and “a lot of big production,” but acknowledged that the artist seemed to be enjoying himself and giving fans a dance-heavy spectacle.
While Kid Rock said the show wasn’t his personal taste, he stressed that he didn’t blame Bad Bunny for accepting the Super Bowl opportunity. Instead, he directed his criticism at the NFL for choosing a Spanish-language performer and at conservative group Turning Point USA, which organized an alternative “All-American Halftime Show” for viewers who didn’t connect with the main event. “It’s just a poor kid put in the middle of it,” he said.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, headlined the halftime show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, during the Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots game. The 31-year-old global superstar performed several of his biggest hits, including Tití Me Preguntó, MONACO, and BAILE INolvidable, blending Latin rhythms with high-energy choreography and visual storytelling.
The performance featured an impressive lineup of guest appearances, with Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin joining him onstage. Surprise cameos from Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G, and Jessica Alba added to the spectacle and social media buzz.
Following the event, Lady Gaga publicly praised Bad Bunny, sharing an Instagram post thanking him for the invitation and expressing how honored she felt to be part of the show. She also thanked the dancers and crew, saying she “wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
As with many recent Super Bowl halftime shows, reactions were sharply divided. Supporters praised the performance as a reflection of America’s cultural diversity and Bad Bunny’s global influence, while critics viewed it through a political and cultural lens. The controversy once again highlighted how the halftime show has become more than entertainment it’s now a mirror of broader debates about identity, language, and what “American” culture looks like in a changing world.
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