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By Amanda Castro
Associate News Editor
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Bad Bunny turned Super Bowl LX into a cultural spectacle on Sunday night, delivering a halftime show that blended Puerto Rican heritage, political messaging, and star‑studded cameos. It also infuriated President Donald Trump.
Performing at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the Grammy‑winning artist — born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — was joined by superstars Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, while celebrities including Cardi B, Karol G, Pedro Pascal, Alix Earle, and Jessica Alba danced alongside him.
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The set featured tributes to his hometown, a staged wedding, and a rooftop performance, capped by Bad Bunny waving the Puerto Rican flag and holding up a football inscribed with “Together We Are America.” Screens inside the stadium echoed his Grammy speech with the words: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
Apple Music, the NFL, and Roc Nation produced the halftime show, which drew both praise and criticism. President Trump sharply criticized the show, calling it “one of the worst ever”.
Conservative groups, including Turning Point USA (TPUSA), staged an alternative event headlined by Kid Rock, while Trump administration officials had previously threatened Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence at the game.
Why It Matters
Bad Bunny’s halftime show was more than entertainment — it was a statement about unity, representation, and resistance. By centering Puerto Rican culture and Latino identity on one of the world’s biggest stages, he challenged traditional expectations of the Super Bowl halftime show.
The performance also carried political weight. Bad Bunny has been outspoken against immigration enforcement policies, and his symbolic gestures — from waving the Puerto Rican flag to displaying “Together We Are America” — underscored his advocacy for inclusivity. The show highlighted how halftime performances have evolved into cultural flashpoints, reflecting broader debates about identity and politics in America.
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The Political References Bad Bunny Made in His Super Bowl LX Halftime Performance
Bad Bunny’s set featured appearances from Lady Gaga, who performed a salsa‑style rendition of “Die With a Smile,” and Ricky Martin, who joined for “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii.” Other celebrities, including Cardi B, Karol G, Young Miko, Pedro Pascal, Alix Earle, and Jessica Alba, added to the celebratory atmosphere.
The stage transformed into a Puerto Rican streetscape, complete with palm trees, food vendors, and boxers. Bad Bunny walked through the set while performing “Tití Me Preguntó” and “Yo Perreo Sola,” immersing viewers in the sights and sounds of his homeland. Toward the finale, Bad Bunny climbed an electrical pole — a nod to Puerto Rico’s struggles with power outages and government response to natural disasters. He also highlighted countries across the Americas, emphasizing cross-border unity.
Throughout the show, Bad Bunny carried a football inscribed with “Together We Are America.” He closed by naming countries across the Americas, with performers carrying flags behind him. The stadium screen displayed: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
The performance incorporated imagery from Puerto Rican life, including scenes of food vendors and community life. A staged wedding unfolded mid‑show, symbolizing generational unity, which reports say was a real ceremony. Later, Bad Bunny handed his Grammy trophy to a young boy, reinforcing themes of legacy and hope.
During the transition from his hit to DTMF, Bad Bunny also honored the countries of Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Guiana, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Haiti, U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
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"My name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio," he said in Spanish. "And if I am here today at Super Bowl LX, it is because I never, never stopped believing in myself. You should believe in yourself, too. You are more than you think. Believe me."
The halftime show came amid criticism from conservative figures. President Donald Trump dismissed the choice, while House Speaker Mike Johnson called it a “terrible decision.” Homeland Security officials suggested ICE agents might attend the game, but the performance proceeded without incident.
Fresh off winning Album of the Year for DeBÍ TiRAR Más Fotos, Bad Bunny’s halftime show marked his only U.S. performance during his world tour. He previously avoided U.S. stops due to concerns about ICE raids, making Sunday’s event a rare stateside appearance.
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What Did Trump Say About Bad Bunny's Halftime Performance?
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said the show “makes no sense” and that “nobody understands a word this guy is saying” because it was in Spanish. He also condemned the dancing as inappropriate for children and said the event was “a slap in the face to our Country.”
"It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence," Trump wrote. "The dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World."
What People Are Saying
Bad Bunny in his pre‑show interview: “I wasn’t looking to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show … I was just trying to connect with my roots.”
Donald Trump via Truth Social following the performance: "The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence. Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World. This “Show” is just a “slap in the face” to our Country."
Jorge Ramos, Puerto Rican journalist on X: "Benito killed it! This is resistance. For the pride of being Latino and singing in Spanish."
What Happens Next
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show is expected to be remembered as one of the most talked‑about performances in recent years, both for its cultural resonance and political undertones.
The artist’s message of unity may continue to spark debate, while his decision to avoid U.S. tour stops ensures that this rare performance will stand as a defining moment in his career.
Updated on 02/09/2026 at 9:04 a.m. with edits to text
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