Bad Bunny, the 31-year-old Puerto Rican singer, is set to headline the halftime show at the Super Bowl in Santa Clara, California. The performance will be a highly anticipated event for his fans worldwide, but it also carries significant cultural and political weight.
San Juan’s 60-year-old auto industry consultant Ray Sanchez, a Trump supporter, expects hundreds to attend a party in Puerto Rico’s capital on Sunday, where Bad Bunny is the guest of honor. “Being against Bad Bunny is absurd,” he said. “There is no one in music who has gone as far as he has in promoting our culture.”
Bad Bunny’s music often incorporates reggaeton rhythms and pays homage to his Puerto Rican heritage. His recent album won a Grammy award for best album, becoming the first Spanish-language recording to do so.
The halftime show is also set to be an opportunity for Bad Bunny to promote his message of inclusivity and pro-immigrant views. His critics, including some Trump supporters, have accused him of not representing their vision of American values due to his support for LGBTQ+ rights and criticism of the Trump administration’s deportation campaign.
Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, will hold an alternative “All-American Halftime Show” featuring Kid Rock, a longtime Trump supporter. The event will be streamed on social media and aims to celebrate American values.
Despite the controversy surrounding his selection for the halftime show, Bad Bunny is expected to perform in front of a global audience of over 100 million people. Many fans are anticipating a raucous performance that celebrates their immigrant heritage and provides an emotional release during a time of heightened fear and anxiety in their communities.
Bad Bunny’s music has resonated with many Latino Americans who see him as a champion of their rights and identity. His dedication to immigrants who leave their homes to follow their dreams has been seen as an implicit rebuke of the president’s anti-immigrant rhetoric.
The NFL announced Bad Bunny’s selection in September, citing his appeal to Spanish-speaking audiences and his ability to bring people together with his music. The league aims to showcase the contributions of Latino players and coaches to the community.
With nearly 59% of NFL players supporting his selection for the halftime show, it appears that Bad Bunny will not be alone in celebrating his music and message on Sunday.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2026/02/07/bad-bunny-immigration-super-bowl-trump