Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara promises a gridiron classic between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, but for many fans, the real battle isn’t happening on the field. It’s happening on the halftime stage, where the NFL’s choice of performer has ignited a firestorm over politics, language, and the league’s increasingly “woke” trajectory.
Fans have expressed outrage over the selection of Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican rapper and record producer. The artist recently sparked controversy for remarks aimed at President Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In 2025, Bad Bunny refrained from touring in the United States, citing concerns that his concerts would attract the attention of ICE agents, and plans to continue doing so, with the exception of the Super Bowl.
His critics argue his stance is anti-American. Bad Bunny has also advocated Puerto Rican independence from the U.S., though the territory’s two major political parties generally do not support the movement. During a Saturday Night Live appearance in October 2025, he switched to Spanish to tell viewers: “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.” The comment was widely seen as a reference to his Super Bowl performance, which is expected to be conducted entirely in Spanish.
Critics also argue the NFL is leaning into a woke agenda and is no longer hiding its political affiliation. Although football is an American sport created by Americans, the halftime show will be headlined by an artist who may not sing a single lyric in English. This follows a decadelong trend of the league using the halftime stage to promote progressive rhetoric.
Notable artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Shakira, Beyoncé, and Eminem have used the platform — which drew more than 133.5 million viewers last year — to advance specific narratives. Past performances have featured messages of racial equality tied to Black Lives Matter protests. Eminem took a knee during his set in a nod to Colin Kaepernick, while Shakira and Jennifer Lopez performed in cage-like structures, a move interpreted as a protest against the separation of migrant children at the U.S. border. Beyoncé also drew attention for her Black Panther-inspired performance, signaling a shift from traditional entertainment to political spectacles.
Now, the league has turned to Bad Bunny, even though most NFL viewers do not speak his primary language. Data from NPR indicate that only 14% to 19% of NFL fans speak Spanish. While the sport is growing internationally, the majority of the audience is English-speaking. While racial inclusivity is a valid goal, critics argue that choosing an artist who performs exclusively in Spanish alienates the core fan base.
The controversy has reached the political sphere, prompting Turning Point USA to take action. The organization is planning an alternative “All-American Halftime Show” featuring themes of family, faith, and freedom. The event, headlined by artists such as Kid Rock, Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, and Gabby Barrett, will air simultaneously with the NFL halftime show on platforms including X, YouTube, and Rumble. With the hope that fans will choose this alternative halftime performance, many question whether it will be an event that sends a message to the NFL.
NFL SAYS THERE ARE ‘NO PLANNED ICE’ OPERATIONS FOR THE SUPER BOWL
There is a deep irony in the NFL hosting a performer who claims to fear the country providing him with such a massive stage. However, this appears to be the direction chosen by Commissioner Roger Goodell as the league continues to trade traditional American symbols for one-sided political activism.
The NFL has to make a decision, or risk losing millions of fans. If it weren’t for pop star Taylor Swift, who is engaged to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, the viewer ratings would be in the dumps. One thing is certain: millions will be watching Sunday to see whether the halftime show sets a new record high or fails to meet Goodell’s standard of wokeness.
