The Super Bowl halftime show is always a lightning rod for opinion, but this year’s performance by Bad Bunny sparked an especially heated reaction after President Donald Trump publicly criticized the show in a strongly worded statement.
Trump described the halftime performance as “one of the worst ever,” saying it “makes no sense” and calling it “an affront to the greatness of America.” He also argued that the show did not represent what he sees as standards of success, creativity, or excellence, and claimed that many viewers would not understand the lyrics.
In his remarks, Trump also criticized the choreography, saying the dancing was inappropriate for younger audiences watching across the United States and around the world. He further accused media outlets of giving the performance positive reviews regardless of public opinion and added unrelated criticism of the NFL’s kickoff rules before closing with his familiar political slogan.
The comments quickly spread across social media, where reactions were sharply divided. Supporters of Trump echoed his criticism, arguing that halftime performances should be more traditional or broadly accessible to American audiences.
But a large number of fans pushed back. Many pointed out that Bad Bunny is one of the biggest global artists in the world and that music in Spanish reaching the Super Bowl stage represents the diversity of modern audiences. Others responded humorously, joking that the criticism itself proved one thing: that Trump watched the entire performance.
Some fans even flipped the narrative entirely, posting that if the show was provoking such strong reactions, it was evidence of how impactful it had been. Memes and clips circulated widely, with people debating whether controversy itself has become part of what defines major halftime shows.
The halftime show had already been a major cultural moment. It followed a period of heightened attention on Bad Bunny, including his Grammy wins and political statements about immigration and unity. The performance also included a surprise appearance that many viewers described as one of the night’s standout moments.
As with many Super Bowl halftime shows before it, the divide in opinion may ultimately become part of its legacy. What some see as groundbreaking, others see as polarizing. What some call bold, others call excessive.
One thing, however, is clear. Whether praised or criticized, the performance succeeded in doing what the biggest halftime shows always do: it got everyone talking.
