When Bad Bunny turned the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show into a massive dance party, the NFL made its message crystal clear behind the Puerto Rican artist. From the moment the NFL announced Bad Bunny as the halftime headliner, criticism followed him mostly due to his predominantly Spanish music and outspoken political views. But once Bad Bunny finally took the stage at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, the NFL delivered a powerful message to millions watching worldwide.

“The only thing more powerful than hate is love ❤️,” the NFL’s message read on a massive LED screen at Levi’s Stadium.

With the Seattle Seahawks carrying a 9-0 lead over the New England Patriots into halftime, Bad Bunny opened his 13-minute performance with his hit song “Tití Me Preguntó.” Dressed in an all-white outfit, Bad Bunny turned the field into a celebration deeply rooted in Puerto Rican culture. As he moved across the field, he powered through some of his biggest tracks, including “MONACO,” “NUEVAYoL,” and “DtMF,” while the NFL’s message of love stayed visible behind him. 

That message closely echoed Bad Bunny’s own words from the 2026 Grammys, where he addressed hate during his Album of the Year acceptance speech.

“We’re not savage,” Bad Bunny said onstage while accepting his Album of the Year award at the 2026 Grammys. “We’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love. So, please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love. We don’t hate them. We love our people, we love our family, and there’s a way to do it, with love, and don’t forget that.”

The Puerto Rican artist wrapped up his high-energy halftime show with another striking moment, shouting out the name of every country from the Americas as the crowd erupted in support. Then, Bad Bunny also delivered a pointed response to the criticism he has faced by holding a football emblazoned with the words “Together We Are America.” 

While viewers worldwide might’ve largely embraced the performance, backlash against Bad Bunny didn’t fade away. As some Republicans criticized Bad Bunny’s appearance at Super Bowl LX, it prompted Turning Point USA to stage a MAGA-friendly “All-American” alternative halftime event headlined by Kid Rock. Despite Bad Bunny’s efforts to avoid overt political messaging, this year’s halftime show clearly sparked intense political discussion. 

What led to Bad Bunny facing criticism before his Super Bowl halftime performance?

The NFL tightly controls the messaging surrounding its halftime performers, but this year’s choice to have Bad Bunny’s performance carried unusual weight. Even as Bad Bunny made history as the first Latino and Spanish-speaking solo headliner in Super Bowl history, he faced backlash from American audiences because he performs exclusively in Spanish. The backlash only intensified as a result of Bad Bunny’s outspoken opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. 

In 2025, the Puerto Rican artist chose not to tour in the U.S., citing fear for his fans being affected by immigration raids. Bad Bunny then doubled down on his stance against Trump’s immigration policies while directly addressing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the 2026 Grammys.

“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” Bad Bunny said during his award acceptance speech at the 2026 Grammy Awards, before urging the viewers to remember that hatred will only breed more hate.

Bad Bunny has also made it clear that his Super Bowl appearance was about more than just music. When asked about his intentions for the halftime show this week, Bad Bunny further reflected on the impact he hopes his art can have on the audience.

“I’m just a normal guy that makes music,” Bad Bunny said in an interview with Access Hollywood on February 6. “I want people to feel happiness and joy. I want to make people dance and I want to make them feel proud and think that everything is possible.”

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump had quickly dismissed the NFL’s decision to select Bad Bunny as a performer, calling it “absolutely ridiculous” during an interview in October 2025. Trump later chose to skip Super Bowl LX entirely while openly slamming both Bad Bunny and Green Day, a band that also performed before the kickoff of the event.

“I’m anti-them,” Donald Trump said during an interview with The New York Post on January 23. “I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible.”

Despite Trump’s objections, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently sent a message to Bad Bunny that avoided political framing altogether. Goodell emphasized that the league selected Bad Bunny to bring people together through his creativity and talent. In the end, the NFL appeared willing to weather the criticism, prioritizing global reach and a message of unity as Bad Bunny performed at Super Bowl LX.