Former U.S. President Donald Trump lambasted Bad Bunny's performance during the Super Bowl LX halftime show, branding it as "absolutely terrible" and "a slap in the face to our country."
In a fiery post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump unleashed a tirade that intertwined criticisms of the Spanish language, moral objections to the performance's content, and a defense of his vision of American identity.
Bad Bunny's show, the first entirely in Spanish at the most-watched event on American television, was seen by Trump as an affront to national values.
Rather than a critique of the music itself, Trump's comments were an ideological reaction to a presentation that, for the first time, placed Latin culture front and center at America's premier broadcast event.
"The Super Bowl halftime show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst in history! It's nonsensical, an insult to America's greatness, and fails to represent our standards of success, creativity, and excellence," Trump penned.
He further remarked, "No one understands a word this guy says, and the dancing is appalling, especially for young children watching across the U.S. and the world. This 'show' is a slap in the face to our country, which sets new standards and records every day, including the best stock market and retirement plans in history!" emphasizing his disdain for the language used.
Trump wrapped up his message with familiar attacks on the media, accusing them of being out of touch with reality, and criticized the NFL for issues unrelated to the show. His tirade concluded with his signature political slogan, framing his critique as part of his campaign to restore a vision of national "greatness."
"There's nothing inspiring about this halftime disaster; it will get rave reviews from the fake news media, because they have no clue what's happening in the real world. And by the way, the NFL should immediately replace its ridiculous new kickoff rule," he added.
"MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" he concluded in his typical explosive capital letters.
Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom thanked Bad Bunny for "raising his voice at the Super Bowl."
"Thank you, @sambenito, for taking the stage in California and raising your voice at the #SuperBowlLX. A beautiful moment! Together, we are America," Newsom wrote on X.
A Latin and Political Message
Bad Bunny made history by headlining the first Super Bowl show with an entirely Spanish repertoire.
The performance featured stars like Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Pedro Pascal, Karol G, and Young Miko.
The stage evoked a Caribbean scene: a Puerto Rican house, palm trees, sugarcane fields, and direct references to island life.
Among the most talked-about moments was a staged wedding between a migrant and an American, and the symbolic presentation of a Grammy award to a Latino child.
Toward the end, Bad Bunny spoke the only English words of the show: "God bless America."
He then named each Latin American country while their flags were raised. On the ball he held, it read: "Together, we are America."
This performance was not just a musical act; it was a statement of identity and continental unity, broadcasted in prime time to tens of millions.
Pre-existing Tensions
Trump's backlash was not spontaneous. Weeks earlier, conservative groups like Turning Point USA had called for a boycott of the show, using the slogan "Say no to woke."
They promoted an "alternative halftime show" featuring Kid Rock and like-minded musicians. Trump himself had criticized the NFL's selection of the Puerto Rican artist as a "terrible decision" and opted not to attend the game, though he ended up watching the performance.
Simultaneously, Bad Bunny had recently won the Grammy for Album of the Year for "Debí Tirar Más Fotos", where he delivered a speech with a direct message: "Fuera ICE."
The artist, a U.S. citizen and outspoken critic of Trumpism, had previously stated he avoided touring the U.S. during the Republican administration to protect his undocumented fans.
The exchange between Trump and Bad Bunny reflects two clashing visions of what America means and who can occupy the symbolic center of national culture.
While Trump condemns the use of Spanish and the show's aesthetic as an affront, millions of viewers saw it as a legitimate affirmation of the diversity that defines much of the country.
Understanding the Trump and Bad Bunny Controversy
Why did Trump criticize Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance?
Trump criticized the performance for being entirely in Spanish and for its content, which he perceived as an affront to American values and identity.
What was significant about Bad Bunny's Super Bowl show?
Bad Bunny's show was historic for being the first entirely in Spanish at the Super Bowl, featuring Latin culture prominently, and delivering a message of unity and diversity.