Trump Advisor Says ICE Agents Will Be at Super Bowl for Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show: ‘It’s So Shameful They Picked Someone Who Seems to Hate America’

During an appearance on "The Benny Show," Corey Lewandowski—a former manager of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and current adviser to the Department of Homeland Security—announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will conduct enforcement operations at the 2026 Super Bowl. The event, which will showcase global superstar Bad Bunny as the Apple Music Halftime Show headliner, now carries a distinct political charge, blending high-profile entertainment with federal immigration policy.

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has deliberately omitted the United States from his "Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour," which spans from December through July. His only scheduled U.S. performance in 2026 is the Super Bowl halftime show. In a recent I-D magazine interview, the artist explained that concerns over potential ICE raids at his concerts influenced his tour routing. This reflects a growing unease among performers regarding immigration enforcement at major gatherings, particularly those drawing large immigrant and Latino audiences.

Pressed by host Benny Johnson, Lewandowski was unequivocal: "There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else," he stated. "We will find you and apprehend you and put you in a detention facility and deport you. Know that is a very real situation under this administration." He also criticized the halftime show selection as "shameful," targeting an artist he claimed "seems to hate America so much."

Lewandowski’s prominent role within Trump’s political orbit lends weight to his statements. After leading the 2016 campaign to victory, he returned as a senior adviser for the 2024 bid and now serves as a special government employee advising Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. His position underscores the administration’s emphasis on strict immigration enforcement, and his comments signal that high-visibility events will not be exempt from such operations.

In his I-D interview, Bad Bunny disclosed that his team had carefully assessed the risks. "Fucking ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about," he said. He emphasized that his decision was not rooted in anti-American sentiment, pointing to his history of sold-out U.S. tours and strong rapport with Latino audiences nationwide. The artist, who lives in Puerto Rico—a U.S. territory where American fans can attend concerts without immigration concerns—highlighted an alternative for stateside supporters. As the situation develops, Variety has contacted representatives for both Apple Music and Bad Bunny for further statements.