The 2026 Super Bowl was more than just a historic sports event; it ignited a cultural and political debate that has divided the United States: Who better embodies the nation, President Donald Trump or Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny?
A recent poll revealed that 42% of respondents feel Bad Bunny represents American identity more accurately, whereas 39% sided with the Republican leader.
This nationwide survey was conducted by Yahoo and YouGov, sampling 1,704 American adults. The data was collected between February 9 and 12, right after the Super Bowl halftime show, highlighting the cultural impact of the performance.
Notably, among independents, 46% believe Bad Bunny aligns more with America's image, compared to 27% who favor Trump. This result was unexpected within Republican circles, underscoring the political significance of the Puerto Rican artist's performance.
Public Perception: Diverging Paths
According to the same poll, President Trump's popularity is waning:
- 39% hold a favorable view of Trump, while 58% see him unfavorably, marking his lowest rating since January 2026.
Bad Bunny, on the other hand, enjoys more positive reception:
- 43% have a favorable opinion, with 36% expressing unfavorable views.
Political Divide Across the Nation
The poll indicates that Bad Bunny's influence extends beyond cultural realms:
- 78% of Democrats view the artist favorably.
- Conversely, only 12% of Republicans share this view, with 70% unfavorable.
The survey also highlights differences in Super Bowl viewership:
- 51% of Americans reported watching the Super Bowl, but only 29% tuned into the halftime show.
This divide is even more pronounced along party lines:
- 66% of Democrats watched Bad Bunny's performance, whereas only 23% of Republicans did.
This reflects a fragmented audience, further fueled by alternate programming like the Turning Point USA show featuring Kid Rock.
Spanish as a Cultural Statement
The performance—the first entirely in Spanish at the Super Bowl, save for a brief appearance by Lady Gaga singing "Die with a Smile" in salsa—was celebrated by most viewers:
- 65% reported enjoying it, with 66% approving its Spanish execution, while only 11% found the language inappropriate.
Overall, 47% of Americans claimed to have watched the show, revealing a clear ideological tilt: 61% among Democrats and Democrat-leaning independents, versus 23% among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents.
A Symbolic Pan-American Conclusion
Bad Bunny concluded his show by naming every country in the Americas under a massive banner that read: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
He followed with "God Bless America," extending the sentiment to the entire continent, not just the United States. This message resonated with 60% of respondents, including those who didn’t watch the performance.
The Super Bowl as a Political Stage
Moments after Bad Bunny left the Levi's Stadium stage on February 8, Donald Trump took to his Truth Social account with a scathing critique.
“The Super Bowl halftime show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst in history,” wrote the president.
He added, “It makes no sense, it’s an affront to America’s greatness and doesn’t represent our standards of success, creativity, or excellence.”
Trump's criticisms focused heavily on the use of Spanish. “Nobody understands a word this guy is saying,” he remarked.
Conservative voices quickly echoed these sentiments. Megyn Kelly, a former Fox News host, asserted: “The halftime show should remain quintessentially American. Not in Spanish, not Muslim, nothing but classic American apple pie.”
Laura Loomer, a Trump ally, declared: “There’s nothing American about any of this.”
Influencer Jake Paul, residing in Puerto Rico, called the artist “a fake American citizen… who publicly hates America,” urging his followers to turn off their TVs during the performance.
Roots of the Conflict
The clash between Bad Bunny and Trump has a history. In 2025, the artist avoided scheduling U.S. tour dates for his "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" tour out of concern for ICE actions against his fans.
That same year, he released "Nuevayol," featuring a Trump impersonator stating: “This country is nothing without immigrants… without Mexicans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Venezuelans, Cubans.”
When the NFL announced Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl headliner, Trump dismissed it as “absolutely ridiculous,” claiming, “I don’t know who he is… it’s just madness.” He later stated that the artist’s involvement “only sows hate.”
FAQs on Cultural and Political Impacts of the Super Bowl Halftime Show
Why was Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance significant?
Bad Bunny's performance was significant as it was the first to be conducted entirely in Spanish at a Super Bowl, representing a cultural statement and sparking political debate about American identity.
How did political affiliations influence the viewership of the halftime show?
Political affiliations greatly influenced viewership, with 66% of Democrats watching the performance compared to only 23% of Republicans, reflecting a divided audience based on political lines.
What was President Trump's reaction to the halftime performance?
President Trump criticized the halftime show as one of the worst in history, focusing on the use of Spanish and claiming it did not represent American values of success and excellence.