A night meant to celebrate football’s biggest stage instead ignited a cultural firestorm after the Super Bowl LX halftime show drew fierce criticism from viewers across the country.
According to Fox News, the performance, headlined by Latin trap artist Bad Bunny, quickly became one of the most talked-about elements of the evening — not for spectacle alone, but for the reaction it provoked from political leaders, commentators and fans.
President Donald Trump delivered one of the harshest rebukes, taking to Truth Social to condemn the show in sweeping terms.
“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,” Trump wrote.
“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,” he continued.
Trump went on to call the performance a “slap in the face” to the country, tying his criticism to broader themes about national pride, media coverage and even NFL rule changes.
Prominent conservative voices echoed the president’s criticism throughout the night. Among them was Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, who joined online critics voicing frustration with the direction of the halftime show.
One recurring complaint centered on language, as much of the performance was delivered in Spanish. Some viewers interpreted that choice as a cultural statement, while others connected it to the ongoing national debate over illegal immigration and deportations carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Not all reactions were negative. Former NFL star JJ Watt and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson were among those who publicly praised the performance, highlighting the divide in public response.
The show concluded with a message displayed on the Levi Stadium video board reading, “The Only Thing More Powerful Than Hate is Love.” Critics argued the message carried political undertones, while supporters saw it as a call for unity.
The halftime show had been expected to be performed entirely in Spanish, but pop star Lady Gaga appeared to sing the Bruno Mars song “Die With a Smile,” surprising viewers.
Bad Bunny also wore a mock football jersey reading “Ocasio 64,” which some online commentators suggested referenced the initial death toll figures reported after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico — numbers later revised to nearly 3,000.
Rather than watch the official halftime show, many viewers opted for Turning Point USA’s “All-American” alternative, headlined by Kid Rock. Pro Football Hall of Famers Eric Dickerson and Brett Favre, along with former ESPN host Sage Steele, said they planned to watch the alternative broadcast.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the president’s preference earlier in the week.
“I think the president would much prefer a Kid Rock performance over Bad Bunny. I must say that,” she told reporters.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the league’s decision ahead of the game.
“Listen, Bad Bunny is… one of the great artists in the world,” Goodell said, adding that the platform was meant to “unite people” and bring them together through creativity.
