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By Ellie Cook
Senior Defense Reporter
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Bad Bunny delivered a message to U.S. Latinos in Spanish during his opening monologue on Saturday Night Live (SNL) this weekend, referencing his newly announced NFL Super Bowl half-time performance.
Why It Matters
The Puerto Rican artist was revealed as the half-time act for the Super Bowl in February 2026 earlier this week, sparking conservative backlash and Make America Great Again (MAGA) condemnation. Bad Bunny last year publicly supported Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
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What To Know
"I'm very excited to be doing the Superbowl, and I know that people all around the world who love my music are also happy," he said in English, before switching to Spanish to add: "Especially all the Latinos and Latinas across the world, and here, in the United States, all those who have worked to open doors."
“It’s more than an achievement for myself, it’s an achievement for all of us," he said, over applause. "It shows our footprint, and our contribution to this country, that no one will ever be able to take away or erase."
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Speaking again in English, the musician**—**whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio—continued: "And if you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn."
"I'm very happy, and i think everyone is happy about it," he joked ahead of his remarks in Spanish. "Even Fox News." Clips from the network were then spliced together to say: "Bad Bunny is my favorite musician and he should be the next president."
Last month, Bad Bunny told i-D magazine he had omitted the U.S. from the world tour of his latest album because of concerns over possible raids by Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE), months in to an unprecedented crackdown by President Donald Trump's administration.
ICE agents "could be outside" any U.S. venues, the musician said. "It’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about." Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, said on Saturday that ICE agents would be “will be all over” the Super Bowl next year to "enforce the law."
"People should not be coming to the Super Bowl unless they’re law-abiding Americans who love this country," Noem told conservative podcaster Benny Johnson. White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, had said she was not aware of a "tangible plan" to have an ICE presence at the Super Bowl.
“However, of course, this administration is always going to arrest and deport illegal immigrants when we find them if they are criminals," Leavitt said.
What People Are Saying
Danica Patrick, a former NASCAR driver and a conservative commentator, said in a post to X: “No, songs in English should not be allowed at one of America’s highest rated television events of the year."
Conservative podcaster Benny Johnson said in a post to social media: "Massive Trump hater."
Responding to Johnson's post, Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego said: "Another MAGA Karen trying to censor popular artists."
What Happens Next
Bad Bunny will perform at the Super Bowl half-time show on February 8, 2026.
Update 10/5/2025 4:45 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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