By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, an unapologetic celebration of Puerto Rican heritage and Latino unity, drew a furious response from President Donald Trump. Trump, who has frequently targeted Latino communities, decried the performance in a lengthy Truth Social post, calling it an “affront to the Greatness of America” and stating that “nobody understands a word this guy is saying.” This reaction followed public declarations that Trump would not be watching the show, opting instead for an alternative program. Bad Bunny had previously used his Grammy Awards acceptance speech to denounce ICE’s actions against immigrant communities, signaling his ongoing advocacy and the clear message his performance sent to the president.
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It seems that former President Donald Trump caught Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance, and unsurprisingly, he wasn’t a fan. While Trump initially claimed not to know who the Puerto Rican superstar was, he certainly found his voice once the performance was over, taking to his social media platform to express his strong disapproval. He declared the show an “affront to the Greatness of America,” and that it didn’t represent the country’s standards of success, creativity, or excellence. He also voiced his confusion about the Spanish lyrics and found the dancing “disgusting.” This reaction, of course, has sparked a lot of discussion.
The core of Trump’s disdain appears to stem from Bad Bunny’s unapologetic embrace of his Puerto Rican heritage and his message of Latino unity. This stands in stark contrast to Trump’s own political rhetoric, which has often targeted immigrant communities. Bad Bunny’s performance, delivered entirely in Spanish, sent a clear message: Latinos are a vital part of America. Trump’s assertion that “nobody understands a word this guy is saying” completely dismisses the reality that millions of Americans speak Spanish, a significant demographic that Trump himself has previously sought to appeal to.
It’s noteworthy that Trump’s supposed plan was to watch a different, more “American” halftime show headlined by Kid Rock. The fact that he even commented on Bad Bunny’s performance suggests he either couldn’t resist tuning in or that the buzz surrounding it was too significant to ignore. His immediate and furious reaction, which included calling the show a “slap in the face to our Country,” highlights his discomfort with messages that promote inclusivity and cultural pride, especially when they come from Latino artists.
Bad Bunny’s message of love and unity, encapsulated by his phrase “the only thing stronger than hate is love,” seems to be precisely what Trump finds most offensive. Trump’s political career has been built on division and an “us versus them” mentality, making a message of togetherness inherently threatening to his narrative. His comments about the “disgusting” dancing, particularly for children, also echo a familiar playbook of moral panic and a desire to control cultural expression.
Furthermore, this isn’t the first time Bad Bunny has used his platform to speak out against injustice. He previously used his Grammy speech to draw attention to the mistreatment of immigrant communities. His decision to even exclude some American cities from his tour due to concerns about ICE targeting demonstrated his commitment to protecting his fans. Trump’s animosity towards Bad Bunny’s message is therefore rooted in a deeper opposition to the artist’s activism and his vocal support for marginalized communities.
The contrast between Trump’s predicted viewership of Kid Rock and his actual engagement with Bad Bunny’s performance is telling. It suggests that, despite his pronouncements, Trump is aware of and influenced by popular culture, even if he fundamentally disagrees with its underlying values. His furious response, in a way, validates Bad Bunny’s impact and the power of his message.
In essence, Trump’s dislike of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance is a reflection of his own deeply ingrained prejudices and his discomfort with messages of cultural pride and unity. Bad Bunny’s performance served as a powerful counter-narrative to Trump’s exclusionary politics, reminding millions that America is a diverse and inclusive nation, and that love, not hate, is ultimately the stronger force.