Ben Stiller Shuts Down Congressman for Demanding FCC Investigation into Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show: ‘Bunny’s Got Huge Talent and Even Bigger Heart’

Florida Congressman Randy Fine, a Republican representing the state's 6th district, has sparked a wave of criticism from both sides of the political aisle. The controversy stems from a letter he posted on X, formally demanding that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr launch an "immediate investigation" into Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show performance. In his letter, Fine argued that the broadcast violated decency standards, stating, "Encouraging children to use cocaine in a live television broadcast is a crime, regardless of the language used or the performer's identity." He further cited the alleged use of profanity, concluding that the FCC must pursue maximum penalties to avoid signaling that "indecency is tolerated so long as it is profitable."

The call for an investigation was met with notable mockery from Hollywood, most prominently from actor and comedian Ben Stiller. Stiller, whose films like "Zoolander" and "Meet the Parents" have cemented his status as a comedy mainstay, playfully challenged the premise of Fine's complaint on X. "Focus of investigation: how did Bad Bunny manage to kick ass at such a high level and deliver the most watched and well produced half time show about inclusion and love ever made?" Stiller wrote, praising the Puerto Rican superstar's "huge talent" and "off the charts charisma." This response placed Stiller at the center of a broader social media firestorm that had seen numerous Republican voices criticizing the halftime spectacle.

Stiller's retort quickly drew challenges from supporters of Fine and other critics of the performance, leading the actor to engage in further trolling. When one user attempted to dismiss him by referencing his Hollywood background, Stiller clarified, "I live and am from New York City." Another commenter incorrectly asserted that Kendrick Lamar's halftime show had higher viewership, as if to undermine Bad Bunny's selection. Stiller deftly sidestepped the debate, replying, "Kendrick was amazing, too." The exchanges grew more bizarre, with one individual making unfounded criminal allegations against Stiller's social circle; the actor responded with a message of goodwill, wishing the commenter "all the best."

This online skirmish highlights how cultural events like the Super Bowl halftime show often become flashpoints in the ongoing culture wars. Ben Stiller was not the first celebrity to defend the performance; he followed the lead of Bravo host Andy Cohen, who spent the day after the game taunting Bad Bunny's detractors on Threads. Cohen, the executive producer and host of the nightly talk show "Watch What Happens Live," is known for his sharp wit and engagement with pop culture controversies. The coordinated pushback from figures like Stiller and Cohen suggests that critiques of the halftime show, which celebrated Latin music and inclusivity, are being framed by some as an overreach disconnected from the celebratory intent of the performance itself.