The Super Bowl has become an eventful night not only for the American sports-loving community but for people all around the globe. While it is meant to be an exciting night for football fans awaiting the season’s finale, many would say that today, the most anticipated part of the event is the infamous halftime show. Over the years, some of the most important pop-culture moments have taken place on the Super Bowl halftime stage.
Although the halftime show is usually the fun part of the night that draws viewers to their screens for a short “concert” by a chosen celebrity, this year, Bad Bunny’s halftime performance carried a deeply symbolic meaning. It’s message resonated far beyond the United States, sparking discussion and dividing audiences not only within the American community, but across the world.
In order to understand why last night’s half-time show was the epicenter of discussion in political communities, we have to know a little bit about the background of the performer and why he was chosen.
Bad Bunny (real name: Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer, and one of the world’s most popular music artists. He first gained attention uploading songs online as a teenager and soon rose to global fame with his blend of reggaeton, Latin trap, and urban music. At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in 2026, Bad Bunny had a historic night. He was nominated for multiple major categories, such as record of the year and song of the year. He had won three categories, two of which were: album of the year and BEST MÚSICA URBANA ALBUM. It was especially notable because his wins came just days before he was set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. During his speech, Bad Bunny addressed the situation in the USA. He said, “Ice out. We are not savage, we are not animals, we are not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans.” “The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love. So please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love.”
Bad Bunny headlining the show had already become the subject of the debate long before his big win at the Grammy Awards. Many praised the NFL’s decision to choose a Latino artist given the political climate in the USA right now; however, some parts of the community argued that the halftime show should have been catered to conservative, traditional American viewers. Not long after the announcement president Donald Trump spoke about it on the conservative TV show Greg Kelly Reports on NewsMax. In that interview, he said he had “never heard of him” and didn’t understand the decision, calling it “absolutely ridiculous.” His remarks were conversational and interview-based, not part of an official press briefing.
Many kept demanding, as they called it, “All American Half-time show/Super Bowl” and these people got what they wanted. The All-American Halftime Show was not part of the official Super Bowl or organized by the NFL. It was a counterprogramming entertainment event put together by the conservative nonprofit group Turning Point USA to air at the same time as the official Super Bowl LX halftime show in February 2026. This event featured performers such as Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, and was streamed online and on some cable/streaming partners during the Super Bowl halftime window.
.Long awaited night had come. Bad Bunny performed at the Super Bowl halftime show on February 8, 2026, during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. His set was the official Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show and was broadcast live as part of the game that night. It was truly magical, even though the screen you could fill the energy that the stadium was radiating. On the billboard was blasted Bad Bunny’s words “THE ONLY THING MORE POWERFUL THAN HATE IS LOVE.”
The stage transported viewers into a Puerto rican village and landscape: grandpas playing dominoes in the yard and “Piraguas” being “sold” by local vendors. It perfectly captured the whole album’s essence, bringing back many immigrants to their roots.
The show also had many cameos, such as Karol G and Cardi B. One of the most memorable “scenes” of the show was Lady Gaga’s surprise appearance, a wedding that actually took place right there on the stage of super bowl, and Bad Bunny handing grammy to a child impersonating his younger self, watching “himself” on TV during the Grammy Awards. Many netizens report crying during this emotional, heart-warming moment.
Finale of the half-time show truly spoke value and proved for once and for all that Bad Bunny would not back down from speaking his truth. The show ended with a march. People of all races, ethnicity and genders marching, playing drums, holding flags of countries in both North and South America. Bad Bunny ended his show by saying, “God bless America! Sea Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Ecuador, Brazil…” naming every single country on both continents of America. He ended with “my motherland, mi patria Puerto Rico.” he held a football ball with the phrase engraved “Together we are America.”
Even though people all across social media platforms were truly celebrating, Donald Trump had made yet another statement, calling the performance “absolutely terrible,” “a slap in the face to the country,” and unfit for young children. “Dancing is disgusting, especially for young children…”
Critics may wag their fingers, but history and the heart will remember who stood for division and who stood for peace. Such a powerful message truly proves that Bad Bunny, condemns violence; he truly stays close to his truth. If we fight, we shall fight together, with love, to achieve peace.