Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show did more than break audience records. Watched by an estimated 135.4 million viewers, the performance became the most-watched halftime show in history while igniting a political and cultural clash that extended far beyond the field.
As the Puerto Rican superstar delivered an all-Spanish set celebrating unity across the Americas, Donald Trump publicly condemned the show as «one of the worst, EVER» and «an affront to the Greatness of America.» The backlash from Trump and MAGA-aligned conservatives contrasted sharply with the scale of the audience, positioning Bad Bunny’s performance as both a ratings milestone and a statement of defiance.
The most-watched
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show has set a new benchmark in television history. According to preliminary estimates from NBC’s primary telecast, the performance drew approximately 135.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched halftime show ever.
While final Nielsen numbers are still pending an official statement, early data indicates that the Puerto Rican artist has surpassed the previous record held by Kendrick Lamar in 2025, which stood at 133.5 million viewers. The audience size also exceeded Michael Jackson’s iconic 1993 halftime show, long considered the gold standard. The scale of viewership underscored the global attention surrounding Bad Bunny’s appearance, both musically and politically.
Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga
NBC’s early estimates suggest that Bad Bunny’s all-Spanish setlist and high-energy production played a key role in driving viewership. Performing under his longtime nickname “Conejo Malo,” the artist delivered a tightly choreographed show featuring theatrical visuals and guest appearances, including Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga.
The performance aired as part of the Apple Music halftime show during Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California. Network executives indicated that the numbers reflect combined linear and streaming audiences, though final totals remain subject to verification. If confirmed, the figure would mark the first time a Spanish-language halftime show has claimed the top spot in Super Bowl history.
Absolutely terrible
The record-setting audience came amid sharp political backlash. Donald Trump reacted to the performance in a lengthy Truth Social post, calling it «absolutely terrible» and «one of the worst, EVER.»
He wrote: «The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence.»
Trump also attacked the language and choreography, stating: «Nobody understands a word this guy is saying,» and described the dancing as «disgusting,» particularly for children watching in the United States and abroad.
Not American
Trump further framed the performance as a symbolic insult to the country. «This “Show” is just a “slap in the face” to our Country,» he wrote, while accusing media outlets of being out of touch.
Conservative commentators aligned with the MAGA movement echoed the criticism, with some questioning Bad Bunny’s place on America’s biggest stage and claiming he was “not American,” despite the artist being born in Puerto Rico, a US territory. Trump had previously called Bad Bunny a «terrible choice» for the halftime show, making his reaction consistent with earlier opposition expressed when the selection was announced.
A counter-programming
The backlash also included organized counter-programming. Conservative non-profit Turning Point USA promoted an alternative event dubbed “The All-American Halftime Show,” headlined by Kid Rock and other artists supportive of the Trump administration.
The event was marketed as a response to what organizers described as the NFL’s cultural direction. Despite those efforts, social media engagement and viewership metrics indicated that Bad Bunny’s performance dominated public attention, with watch parties forming across Puerto Rico, California, and multiple US cities throughout the night.
A symbol of defiance
During the halftime show itself, Bad Bunny delivered a clear message of unity and resistance. A football displayed the phrase «Together we are America,» while the stadium jumbotron showed «The only thing more powerful than hate is love.»
Standing beside the US flag and the Puerto Rican flag, Bad Bunny expanded the meaning of patriotism to include the Americas as a whole. He closed the performance by saying: «God Bless América, sea Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Perú, Ecuador, Brasil, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Panamá, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, México, Cuba, República Dominicana, Jamaica, Haití, Antigua, Anguila, Estados Unidos, Canadá. And my motherland, mi patria, Puerto Rico. Seguimos aquí.» The moment resonated widely, as evidenced by the record-breaking audience, positioning Bad Bunny not only as a global music star, but also as a cultural figure increasingly seen as a symbol of defiance against Trump-era rhetoric.