Trump Criticizes the NFL for Choosing Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl Show: “It’s Absolutely Ridiculous”

Trump criticizes Super Bowl 2026

Super Bowl controversy

Bad Bunny responds on SNL

U.S. President Donald Trump once again stirred controversy after sharply criticizing the NFL’s decision to select Bad Bunny as the main performer for the Super Bowl 2026 halftime show.

According to EFE, during an interview on Greg Kelly Reports on Newsmax, the president called the choice “absolutely ridiculous” and said he didn’t understand the reason behind it.

“I’ve never heard of him (…) I don’t know who he is, I don’t know why they’re doing this. It’s crazy. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous,” said the president — a remark that quickly went viral.

The NFL had announced days earlier that the Puerto Rican singer would headline the event, scheduled for February 7 in Santa Clara, California, sparking mixed reactions among both the public and political circles.

Trump Questions the NFL and Its Rules

Trump criticizes Super Bowl 2026 over Bad Bunny decision-Photo: Shutterstock

In addition to his remarks about Bad Bunny, Trump also expressed frustration with some of the new technical rules in American football.

“It’s ridiculous. It’s no safer than the normal kickoff. It looks terrible. I think it really degrades football,” he said, referring to the new kickoff rule introduced this season.

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The president, a longtime football fan, reiterated his preference for “keeping traditions” in the sport and criticized what he described as a “weak Americanization” of the country’s most important sporting event.

However, his comments against Bad Bunny gained the most traction online, where users accused him of xenophobia and of failing to recognize reggaeton’s growing influence in American culture.

Controversy Over Language and Security

The selection of a Latino artist for the halftime show also sparked backlash within the Republican Party, with some members arguing that a primarily Spanish performance was inappropriate.

One Homeland Security advisor, Corey Lewandowski, even suggested deploying ICE agents during the event “for security reasons,” a statement that alarmed immigrant communities.

Days later, the White House denied any plans for immigration raids during the Super Bowl, aiming to ease fears that spread after the announcement.

Meanwhile, Bad Bunny’s name remained among the top global trends, highlighting the magnitude of the debate surrounding diversity and inclusion in American entertainment.

Bad Bunny’s Response

Photo: Mezcalent

Rather than avoiding the controversy, the Puerto Rican artist responded with humor during his Saturday Night Live appearance.

“If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn Spanish,” he joked in his monologue, earning laughter and applause from the audience.

The “Tití Me Preguntó” singer also appeared in several comedy sketches, including a parody of the Mexican classic El Chavo del Ocho, showcasing his versatility under media pressure.

His relaxed attitude contrasted sharply with Trump’s harsh criticism, further cementing his image as a global artist capable of bridging cultural divides, reported EFE.

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Una publicación compartida por @dimeloking