Bad Bunny used the global platform of the Super Bowl halftime show to deliver a subtle but clear political message centred on unity across the Americas, continuing his longstanding critique of U.S. immigration policies.
During his performance on Sunday, the Puerto Rican star concluded his set in English with the phrase “God Bless America.” However, he immediately followed this by listing the names of all nations in the Western Hemisphere, a deliberate inclusion that transcended a focus on the United States alone. This gesture was reinforced when a prop football was displayed with the text “Together We Are America,” presenting a message of continental solidarity.
The act aligns with the artist’s well-documented history of political commentary. Bad Bunny has frequently criticized former President Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He explicitly used the activist slogan “ICE out” during his 2023 Grammy Awards acceptance speech. Furthermore, he strategically excluded the United States from his most recent world tour, citing concerns that ICE agents might target his fans outside venues. In interviews, he explained that while international fans, including Latinos from the U.S., could travel to see him elsewhere, the risk of immigration enforcement at domestic concerts posed an unacceptable threat.
His Super Bowl appearance therefore carried an implied critique of restrictive immigration policies, framed within a broader call for pan-American unity. The performance suggested a vision of America that encompasses all countries in the region, a narrative at odds with exclusive nationalist rhetoric.
This approach mirrors a trend seen earlier in the day. Rock band Green Day, also known for their opposition to Trump, performed before the game. They did not make an explicit statement but played their protest anthem “American Idiot,” a song that criticizes mass media and political polarization in the United States.
Both performances demonstrate how high-profile entertainers can use the Super Bowl—one of the most-watched events globally—to embed social and political commentary within their art. Bad Bunny’s message, while not naming specific policies or figures, resonated through its symbolic emphasis on collective identity across borders, reflecting ongoing debates about immigration, nationality, and inclusion in the Americas. The choice of symbolism over direct accusation allows such messages to navigate the complex environment of a mainstream, advertiser-funded broadcast while still engaging with pressing political issues.
