President Donald Trump issued sharp criticism of the Super Bowl halftime show in the hours following the performance by Latin artist Bad Bunny, calling it “one of the worst, ever” and unsuitable for American viewers.
“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, ever,” the President stated. “It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of success, creativity or excellence.”
The performance, conducted entirely in Spanish, drew particular criticism from the President, who noted that “nobody understands a word this guy is saying.” The choreography also raised concerns at the White House, particularly regarding its appropriateness for younger viewers.
“The dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching through the U.S.A., and all over the world,” Trump said.
The President characterized the halftime show as a “slap in the face” to the nation’s current achievements. “This show is just a slap in the face to our country, which is setting new standards and records every single day—including the best stock market and 401(k)s in history,” he said. “There is nothing inspirational about this mess of a halftime show and watch, 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.”
Trump concluded his remarks with additional criticism of the NFL’s new kickoff rule, stating the league “should immediately replace its ridiculous new kickoff rule.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had addressed potential criticism one week before the game, defending the selection of Bad Bunny as a performer and emphasizing the halftime show’s role in bringing people together. Goodell described Bad Bunny as “one of the great artists in the world.”
The controversy surrounding Bad Bunny’s selection had been building in the days leading up to the Super Bowl. One week before his performance, the artist made statements critical of Immigration and Customs Enforcement while accepting his Grammy Award.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say: ICE out,” the singer stated from the stage. “We are not savage. We are not animals. We are not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”
He continued, “The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love. So, please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love. Yeah. We don’t hate them. We love our people, we love our family, and that’s the way to do it, with love.”
The artist’s previous criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies had prompted Turning Point USA to organize an alternative halftime show. The counter-programming featured performances by Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, and drew millions of viewers seeking an alternative to the official NFL presentation.
The debate over the halftime show reflects broader cultural tensions regarding entertainment, national identity, and the role of major sporting events in American life.
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