Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime: ICE, Trump Critique

Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show on February 8, 2026, following his win for Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammys for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. The performance positions the Puerto Rican superstar on one of the world’s most-watched stages, a platform he has previously used to address political issues, notably U.S. immigration enforcement.

At the Grammys, Bad Bunny directly criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during his acceptance speech for Best Música Urbana Album, shouting “ICE out.” This stance is consistent with his recent actions. In 2025, he deliberately excluded the United States from his DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS world tour, citing concerns that ICE could target his Latino and Puerto Rican fans outside concert venues. Instead, he staged a 31-date residency in Puerto Rico, prioritizing local accessibility and boosting the island’s economy by over $400 million.

His advocacy continued at the Grammys telecast when, after host Trevor Noah joked about moving to Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny corrected him, stating, “Puerto Rico is part of America,” highlighting the territory’s complex political status. He has also used his music for commentary; the video for “NUEVAYoL” features him atop the Statue of Liberty with a Puerto Rican flag, ending with a voice mimicking Donald Trump apologizing for anti-immigrant rhetoric.

The announcement of his Super Bowl slot drew political backlash. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said ICE would be “all over” the event and suggested it should be for “law-abiding Americans.” During his Saturday Night Live monologue, Bad Bunny addressed the criticism in English and Spanish, celebrating Latino contributions to the U.S. and stating, “no one will ever be able to take that away or erase it.” He concluded with a pointed remark in English: “And if you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”

Donald Trump has also criticized the selection, claiming he had “never heard of” Bad Bunny and calling the choice “terrible,” adding he would not attend the game. While Bad Bunny has rarely named Trump, his opposition to the former president’s policies, particularly the federal response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, is clear. He endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024 following racist remarks about the island at a Trump rally.

Whether Bad Bunny explicitly mentions ICE or Trump during the Super Bowl performance remains uncertain. However, his history indicates a pattern of integrating cultural pride with political awareness. His appearance alone represents a significant moment for Puerto Rican and Latino representation on a global stage, underscoring how his artistry and identity are intertwined with social commentary. The halftime show will therefore be scrutinized not only as entertainment but as a potential vehicle for the artist’s ongoing message on immigration and belonging.