Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show, drawing attention for his potential political statements on immigration. The performance has sparked backlash from conservatives and hope among Democrats seeking to engage Latino voters. A rival 'All-American Halftime Show' organized by Turning Point USA will counterprogram the event.
Super Bowl LX pits the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, kicking off at 6:30 p.m. ET. The halftime show features Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, performing an exclusively Spanish-language set. This marks his spotlight moment following a 2020 appearance with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.
Bad Bunny's selection has ignited political controversy. President Donald Trump criticized it last fall, saying, “I don’t know who he is... It’s absolutely ridiculous.” Conservatives, including some in the MAGA movement who dubbed him “Woke Bunny,” have opposed the choice amid the administration's immigration crackdown. Bad Bunny has voiced strong criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). At the Grammys on Sunday, where he won Album of the Year for “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” he declared, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say, ‘ICE out’... We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens — we are humans, and we are Americans.” He skipped U.S. mainland tour dates last year due to fears of ICE raids at his concerts, as he told i-D magazine in September.
Democrats view the performance as a chance to reconnect with Latino communities alienated after 2024 election losses. Former Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-Ill.) urged, “Democrats do too little to engage the Latino community... They should embrace it.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) called it “a huge watershed moment” that could unify on “resonant and salient grounds.” Polls indicate growing outrage among Hispanics over Trump's policies, including deportations and incidents like fatal shootings in Minneapolis.
In response, Turning Point USA announced its “All-American Halftime Show” airing at 8 p.m. ET on February 8, featuring Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. The event celebrates “faith, family, and freedom,” with Kid Rock stating, “We plan to play great songs for folks who love America.” Spokesman Andrew Kolvet emphasized it as a counter voice for “traditional America.” The show streams on Daily Wire, YouTube, and X.
Bad Bunny, a supporter of Puerto Rican independence, endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024 after a comedian's disparaging remark about Puerto Rico. At a Thursday press conference in San Francisco, he teased, “It’s going to be a huge party... I want to bring a lot of my culture.” Local leaders report no ICE presence at the game, despite earlier threats from Corey Lewandowski.
