(TNND) — The NFL’s refusal to back away from selecting Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny for the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show has ignited a nationwide cultural debate, underscoring tensions around language, representation, and the changing face of one of America’s most iconic events.
The controversy comes amid deep national divisions over President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, as protests erupt across the country in response to the deployment of ICE agents and Border Patrol.
Supporters of the Spanish-language halftime show argue it would reflect the realities of the modern music landscape and the country’s growing Latino populations. Critics, however, say the Super Bowl has traditionally catered to an English-speaking mainstream audience and view such a shift as exclusionary or inappropriate for the event.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed concerns about the halftime show and said the Grammy winner understands the show is about unity.
“He understood the platform he was on and this platform is used to unite people and to be able to bring people together, where their creativity and their talents, and be able to use this moment to do that,” Goodell said during a news conference.
On the other hand, conservatives such as House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson in October called the selection “terrible.”
There are so many eyes on the Super Bowl. A lot of young, impressionable children and in my view, you would have Lee Greenwood or role models doing that. But not somebody like this.” Johnson said.
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 02:The Vince Lombardi Trophy is framed by the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots helmets during Super Bowl LX Opening Night at San Jose McEnery Convention Center on February 02, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump has also weighed in several times, saying in January that he wasn’t happy the musician, along with rock band Green Day, would be performing.
“I’m anti-them. I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred,” Trump told the Post.
Bad Bunny has long been an outspoken critic of immigration enforcement, and in 2025, canceled the U.S. leg of his world tour, citing fears ICE would target his largely Latino fan base.
He also used this year’s Grammy Awards to send a message.
ICE out,” Bad Bunny said during his speech, adding, “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.
After fears of ICE agents being at the Super Bowl surfaced in October, the NFL confirmed in a memo obtained by The Washington Post that there will be no immigration enforcement at the game.
“Public safety is our top priority for Super Bowl LX. We have been in daily contact with the NFL, which has confirmed the following with the Department of Homeland Security: There are no planned ICE immigration enforcement operations associated with SBLX,” the memo read.
Competing against Bad Bunny’s performance this year is Turning Point USA’s “All American Halftime Show,” featuring Kid Rock, country-rock singer Brantley Gilbert and country singers Gabby Barrett and Lee Brice.
A survey of anonymous NFL players by The Athletic determined that 58.6% of players support Bad Bunny playing the halftime show, while 41.4% are against the idea.
The outlet said the majority didn’t like the selection due to a lack of familiarity or because they prefer a different performer.
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