Additional Coverage:
- MAGA critics call for Bad Bunny Super Bowl performance to be canceled after Yankees incident (themirror.com)
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Selection Sparks Heated Debate Following Yankees Game Appearance
Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny is facing renewed criticism after remaining seated during a rendition of ‘God Bless America’ at a recent New York Yankees game. The incident has intensified an ongoing backlash from conservative commentators and supporters of the MAGA movement, who have voiced strong objections to his selection as the 2026 Super Bowl halftime performer.
The controversy has led to calls for boycotts of the upcoming NFL championship game, with some even demanding Bad Bunny’s deportation, despite his status as an American citizen.
In response, Turning Point USA, a right-wing media organization founded by Charlie Kirk, has announced plans for its own “all-American” halftime show. A poll conducted by the organization notably included “Anything in English” as a potential genre option for its featured artist.
Bad Bunny, whose legal name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration, particularly its immigration policies and mass deportation efforts. The artist previously cited fears of ICE targeting his shows as a reason for refusing to perform in the U.S. during that period.
His upcoming Super Bowl performance has drawn sharp criticism from figures like Megyn Kelly, who described the choice as “an active middle finger” to “all of MAGA and the right wing.” Others have expressed displeasure over Bad Bunny’s primary use of Spanish in his music, with Republican representative Marjorie Taylor Greene suggesting English be made the official language of the United States.
Following his Yankees game appearance, Turning Point USA employee Matthew Joseph posted on X, formerly Twitter, “If the NFL was smart, they’d cancel bad bunny, but what do I know.” Another user urged, “If millions of people watch the @TPUSA half-time show instead of Bad Bunny, the Super Bowl will be forced to pay attention. We need to make sure their ratings drop dramatically during those 30 minutes.”
However, Bad Bunny also has strong defenders. One supporter responded to Joseph’s post, stating, “Bad Bunny is streamed more than almost anyone in the entire world.
They chose an American artist at the top of his game. Why do you think the NFL needs to capitulate to what you snowflakes want?
No one sane wants to hear ‘God Bless the USA’ and ‘Cat Scratch Fever’ at every event.”
With over 100 million albums sold and billions of streams on Spotify, Bad Bunny is one of the most commercially successful artists globally. Upon the announcement of his halftime show role, the “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” hitmaker shared his perspective: “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history.”