Bad Bunny’s halftime show ignites national debate
- Polina Kozlova
- Feb 23
- 3 min read
When Bad Bunny took the stage at the Super Bowl halftime show earlier this month, the performance quickly moved beyond music.
The Puerto Rican global superstar delivered a largely Spanish-language set celebrating Latin culture, identity and community. His performance drew widespread praise, sharp political criticism and now, measurable public reaction.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump criticized the show on social media, calling it “one of the worst, EVER!” and adding that “nobody understands a word this guy is saying.”
His remarks circulated widely, fuelling debate about language and belonging on one of the most-watched stages in North America.
However, a new Yahoo/YouGov poll suggests the backlash may not reflect majority sentiment.
According to a Super Bowl survey conducted shortly after the game, 42 per cent of respondents said Bad Bunny better represents America, compared with 39 per cent who chose Trump. About 20 per cent were undecided.
The results, first reported by The Independent, revealed a sharp partisan divide: Democratic respondents overwhelmingly favoured the artist, while Republicans were more likely to support Trump.
The performance itself leaned into celebration rather than overt political messaging.
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, also known as Bad Bunny, carried the original Puerto Rican flag, once outlawed until 1952.
Bad Bunny performed songs that referenced power outages and gentrification on the island.
He was joined on stage by Lady Gaga for a salsa-infused duet and by Ricky Martin in a segment highlighting Puerto Rican music and identity.
Support from fellow artists followed quickly.
Grammy-winning singer Kacey Musgraves wrote on social media that the show made her feel “more proudly American than anything Kid Rock has ever done.”
Rapper Doechii called the moment “History.” California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted: “America, the beautiful. THANK YOU, BAD BUNNY.”
For some viewers, the performance carried personal resonance beyond politics.
Alisa Los, a first-year student at St. Thomas University, said the show’s cultural focus mattered.
“Culture is important and it's great that he decided to perform with culture,” Los said.
“Right now, everyone is trying to match ‘American standards,’ but he chose to perform with heart in his own style and it's not about the language.”
Los said she did not understand every lyrical reference but still felt deeply connected to the performance.
“I didn't get all references, but his performance feels so warm and reminds me of home, everything is so familiar,” she said. “It is very important what he is doing, especially at this time in America.”
The halftime show has long served as more than entertainment. Past performances by artists such as Beyoncé and Shakira have sparked conversations about race, politics and national identity.
But Bad Bunny’s set arrives at a moment when debates around immigration and cultural representation are especially prominent in U.S. political discourse.
Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States and Latin music continues to dominate global streaming charts. Yet, criticism of a Spanish-language Super Bowl performance underscores ongoing tensions about who is considered part of the cultural mainstream.
For supporters, the halftime show reflected the country’s demographic reality and global influence. For critics, it challenged traditional expectations of what “American” entertainment should look or sound like.
The polling suggests Americans themselves remain divided.
What began as a 13-minute performance has since become a broader referendum on culture, identity and belonging; a proof that in today’s media landscape, even a pop spectacle can carry political weight.