Donald Trump sharply criticized Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show on Sunday night, calling it «one of the worst, EVER» and «an affront to the Greatness of America» in a lengthy Truth Social post. The president did not attend the game in Santa Clara, California, instead watching from a private gathering in Florida, according to CNN. His comments were published shortly after the Apple Music halftime show concluded, as millions of viewers reacted online. Trump’s statement quickly gained attention for its aggressive tone and for expanding far beyond a simple critique of the performance, touching on culture, media, and politics.
In the opening of his Truth Social post, Trump directly attacked the performance, writing: «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.» He then targeted Bad Bunny’s Spanish-language performance, stating: «Nobody understands a word this guy is saying.» Trump also criticized the choreography, calling it «disgusting,» and argued that it was inappropriate «especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World.» His comments framed the show as both offensive and culturally unacceptable.
«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.»
-President, Donald Trump
Trump then pushed the criticism further by portraying the halftime show as a national insult. He wrote: «This “Show” is just a “slap in the face” to our Country, which is setting new standards and records every single day.» He later repeated the idea that the performance symbolized disrespect toward the United States. Trump tied the issue to economic messaging, adding: «including the Best Stock Market and 401(k)s in History!» He also accused media outlets of being disconnected from public opinion, writing: «It will get great reviews from the Fake News Media, because they haven’t got a clue of what is going on in the REAL WORLD.» The post ended with his campaign slogan.
Bad Bunny’s halftime show presented a different tone, combining spectacle with political and cultural symbolism. Born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, the Puerto Rican superstar performed a selection of major hits while using dramatic visuals and theatrical staging tied to themes from his Spanish-language catalog. Several high-profile stars appeared during the set, including Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. During the performance, Bad Bunny delivered a message that broadened the meaning of the phrase «God bless America» by applying it to the entire continent. «God bless America, whether it’s Chile, Argentina,» he said, before listing more than 20 nations across North and South America.
The performance also displayed direct messages of unity. At one point, a football showed the phrase «Together we are America,» while the stadium jumbotron displayed «The only thing more powerful than hate is love.» Bad Bunny stood beside the US flag and the Puerto Rican flag, emphasizing Puerto Rico’s status as a US territory. The show’s use of Spanish also drew attention, especially after Trump complained about the language. Yet the United States has one of the largest Spanish-speaking populations in the world, with more than 41.8 million people speaking Spanish at home, according to Census Bureau data cited by CNN. The performance had faced backlash for months, including conservative counter-programming events.
«The only thing more powerful than hate is love.»
-Bad Bunny
The controversy surrounding the halftime show did not prevent it from breaking records. Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime performance on February 8, 2026, became the most-watched halftime show in history, drawing an estimated 135.4 million viewers. The number surpassed the previous record held by Kendrick Lamar in 2025, which reached 133.5 million viewers, as well as Michael Jackson’s 1993 performance, estimated at 133.4 million. The record-breaking audience highlighted the scale of public interest in Bad Bunny’s appearance, even as political criticism intensified. The viewership milestone also reinforced Bad Bunny’s global reach, as the artist remains one of the most-streamed performers in the world.
