Donald Trump Says Bad Bunny Performing at the Super Bowl Is ‘Absolutely Ridiculous’ Even Though ‘I’ve Never Heard of Him. I Don’t Know Who He Is’

During a recent segment of NewsMax's "Greg Kelly Reports," former President Donald Trump expressed sharp disapproval of the NFL's announcement that Bad Bunny would headline the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show. When host Greg Kelly mentioned the artist—whom he called "the Bad Bunny rabbit or whatever his name is"—Trump admitted he did not know the performer and dismissed the league’s choice as "absolutely ridiculous." Kelly further highlighted the Puerto Rican superstar’s past critiques of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and accusations of racism, framing the NFL’s decision as politically motivated.

The NFL and Apple Music officially confirmed the booking on September 28, noting that the 2026 Super Bowl will be Bad Bunny’s only U.S. performance that year. This is due to his "Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour," which runs from December 2025 through July 2026 and intentionally bypasses the United States. The artist, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, explained in an interview with I-D magazine that he feared ICE might carry out enforcement operations at his concerts. This stance underscores the increasingly complex relationship between popular entertainment and immigration enforcement. Bad Bunny, who hails from Puerto Rico—a U.S. territory whose residents are American citizens by birth—has become one of the most streamed artists globally, using his platform to address social and political issues affecting Latino communities.

Corey Lewandowski, who served as Trump’s 2016 campaign manager, was among the first to condemn the NFL’s selection. He cautioned that federal immigration authorities would be on site at the Super Bowl, stating, "There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else." Lewandowski called the decision "shameful" and argued that the league had chosen a performer who "seems to hate America so much," urging instead for a unifying halftime act. This type of criticism reflects a recurring pattern in which major cultural events become stages for political messaging, particularly around issues of national identity and immigration.

Other influential conservatives echoed these views. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, appearing on Benny Johnson’s podcast, confirmed that ICE would maintain a significant presence at the Super Bowl with the goal of enforcing immigration laws. She described the planned enforcement as part of ensuring "everybody who goes to the Super Bowl has the opportunity to enjoy it and to leave," framing such actions as representative of "what America is about." This coordinated messaging illustrates how high-profile entertainment events are increasingly leveraged to emphasize policy divides, a tactic also seen during past Super Bowl performances featuring artists with strong political views.

Although Bad Bunny has not issued a formal response to the critiques from Trump’s circle, he referenced the situation while hosting "Saturday Night Live" on October 3. After sharing his enthusiasm for the Super Bowl performance, he quipped, "I think everyone is happy about it. Even Fox News." He then dedicated the honor in Spanish to Latinos throughout the United States, calling it "a win for all of us" and affirming that "our footprints and our contribution in this country, no one will ever be able to take that away or erase it." Switching to English, he told viewers, "If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn," a remark that drew strong applause. His comments reinforce the cultural significance of his selection, positioning him not just as a global music phenomenon but as a symbol of Latino pride and resilience amid ongoing political polarization.