The NFL has made a decision regarding Bad Bunny playing at the Super Bowl following backlash from Donald Trump.
While the Puerto Rican superstar continues to dominate global music charts, his selection for one of the world’s biggest stages has drawn harsh criticism from President Donald Trump.
It sparked a protest event from conservative group Turning Point USA, and even prompted U.S. immigration authorities to confirm they’ll be monitoring the event.
Despite the controversy, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is standing firm.
“We’re confident it’s going to be a great show,” says Goodell
Speaking during a press conference following the NFL’s annual fall owners meeting, Goodell addressed the backlash head-on, defending the league’s decision, per The Guardian.
“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell said. “I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people that are watching.”
The commissioner emphasized Bad Bunny’s global appeal, adding: “He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world. That’s what we try to achieve. It’s an important stage for us. It’s an important element to the entertainment value.”
The 31-year-old, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is expected to perform in Spanish at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, when the San Francisco 49ers host the Super Bowl on February 8, 2026.
“We’re confident it’s going to be a great show,” Goodell added. “He understands the platform that he’s on, and I think it’s going to be exciting and a united moment.”
Trump responds: “I don’t know who he is”
Not everyone is excited. President Donald Trump dismissed the announcement during an appearance on Newsmax.
“I never heard of him. I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it, it’s crazy… I think it’s absolutely ridiculous,” Trump said.
Trump’s comments are part of a broader conservative backlash to the NFL’s pick. Bad Bunny has been openly critical of Trump in the past, and his recent decision to tour exclusively in Puerto Rico - citing fears of ICE raids in the mainland U.S. - has only intensified political tensions.
Turning Point USA announces rival “All-American Halftime Show”
In direct response to the NFL’s move, conservative youth organization Turning Point USA announced it will stage a competing broadcast: the All-American Halftime Show.
Billed as a celebration of “faith, family, and freedom,” the counter-event invites viewers to vote for preferred music genres like “Anything in English,” “Americana,” “Worship,” and “Hip Hop.”
Though the performers haven’t been revealed, Turning Point promised more details soon. As Variety noted, it’s still unclear how the event will be streamed, but the intent is obvious: to lure viewers away from the official NFL broadcast.
Bad Bunny responds: “This is for my people, my culture, and our history”
While the political storm intensifies, Bad Bunny has remained focused on the cultural weight of the moment.
In a passionate message shared after the announcement, he wrote: “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. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.”