Bad Bunny To Headline 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Amid Controversy

Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny has been announced as the headliner for the Apple Music Super Bowl XL Halftime Show in 2026, marking the first time a Latin male artist will headline the event. His selection has sparked controversy and backlash from conservative groups and supporters of President Donald Trump, citing his Spanish-language lyrics, gender-fluid fashion, and past criticisms of Trump's policies, especially regarding immigration and Latino communities. In response, comedian John Oliver defended Bad Bunny on his show, highlighting the artist's commercial success and criticizing the Trump administration's use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed will be present at the Super Bowl venue. Bad Bunny addressed the controversy during his "Saturday Night Live" monologue with humor, including a satirical montage of Fox News anchors praising him, and reaffirmed his advocacy for Latino culture and people. Despite the backlash, Bad Bunny’s performance is seen as a powerful statement of Latino pride and resistance against policies perceived as targeting immigrant communities. The artist's decision not to tour the U.S. except for the Super Bowl is linked to concerns over immigration enforcement and political tensions under the current administration.