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“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence. Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The president continued by framing the performance as a direct insult to a nation he says is thriving economically and culturally under his leadership.
“This ‘Show’ is just a ‘slap in the face’ to our Country, which is setting new standards and records every single day — including the Best Stock Market and 401(k)s in History! There is nothing inspirational about this mess of a Halftime Show and watch, it will get great reviews from the Fake News Media, because they haven’t got a clue of what is going on in the REAL WORLD — And, by the way, the NFL should immediately replace its ridiculous new Kickoff Rule. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Trump’s comments echoed a growing sentiment among conservative commentators and grassroots fans who believe the NFL has lost touch with its core audience. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon joined the chorus online, amplifying concerns that the league is prioritizing political signaling over entertainment.
One of the most common complaints centered on language. The halftime performance was conducted almost entirely in Spanish, marking the first time a Super Bowl halftime show featured minimal English. Critics argued that while America is diverse, the Super Bowl is a uniquely national event and should be accessible to the widest possible audience. Others connected the decision to ongoing debates over illegal immigration and federal deportation efforts carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Visual elements of the performance further fueled backlash. Bad Bunny appeared wearing a mock football jersey labeled “Ocasio 64,” which many viewers interpreted as a political reference. Critics linked the number to early death toll estimates from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, figures that were later revised upward to nearly 3,000, making the imagery particularly controversial for some audiences.
The controversy didn’t stop there. The show concluded with a message displayed on the stadium’s video board that read, “The Only Thing More Powerful Than Hate is Love.” While supporters praised the sentiment, critics viewed it as yet another ideological message injected into what they believe should remain an apolitical sporting event.
Despite the backlash, a handful of celebrities and athletes defended the performance. Former NFL star J.J. Watt and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson offered praise, while pop icon Lady Gaga made a brief appearance to sing Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile,” surprising viewers who had expected the entire show to remain in Spanish.
Still, many fans chose not to watch at all. Instead, a sizable audience tuned into Turning Point USA’s alternative “All-American” halftime show featuring Kid Rock. The patriotic broadcast was promoted by Pro Football Hall of Famers Eric Dickerson and Brett Favre, along with former ESPN host Sage Steele, positioning itself as a culturally traditional counterprogramming option.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the president had little interest in the NFL’s official performance.
“I think the president would much prefer a Kid Rock performance over Bad Bunny. I must say that,” Leavitt told reporters.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell attempted to defend the league’s decision earlier in the week, insisting the artist was chosen for his global appeal and supposed ability to bring people together.
“Listen, Bad Bunny is, and I think that was demonstrated last night, one of the great artists in the world and that’s one of the reasons we chose him,” Goodell said. “But the other reason is he understood the platform he was on and this platform is used to unite people and to be able to bring people together with their creativity, with their talents and to be able to use this moment to do that and I think artists in the past have done that.
“I think Bad Bunny understands that and I think he’ll have a great performance.”
Judging by the reaction from millions of viewers, however, many Americans believe the NFL once again misread the room — and the halftime show may be remembered less for unity and more for the cultural divide it exposed.
