Donald Trump slams NFL over Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime show: ‘Don’t know who he is’

In a fiery rebuke that’s gone viral, former President Donald Trump has blasted the NFL for selecting Puerto Rican music superstar Bad Bunny to headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show — calling the decision “absolutely ridiculous” and suggesting it reflects poorly on the league’s priorities.

During a Monday night appearance on ‘Greg Kelly Reports’ on NewsMax, Trump was asked to weigh in on the controversial pick. “The NFL just chose the Bad Bunny rabbit or whatever his name is,” host Greg Kelly said mockingly. “This guy, who hates ICE, he doesn’t like you, he accuses everything he doesn’t like of racism.”

Kelly then questioned whether Americans should boycott the NFL, stating that Bad Bunny is “not a unifying entertainer,” and many fans “don’t even know who he is.” Trump’s response was equally dismissive: “I’ve never heard of him,” he said. “I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s crazy. And then they blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment — I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

The halftime show, sponsored by Apple Music, is scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It will be the centerpiece performance during Super Bowl LX, one of the most-watched events in American television.

Bad Bunny’s big moment — and bigger message

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A post shared by Benito Antonio (@badbunnypr)

Despite Trump’s criticisms, the numbers tell a different story. Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is a global music powerhouse. With over 107 billion Spotify streams and nearly 50 million Instagram followers, he was the third-most streamed artist on the platform last year — all without releasing a new album.

Reacting to the announcement, the reggaeton and Latin trap artist made it clear the moment was deeply personal: “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself,” Bad Bunny said. “It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el halftime show del Super Bowl.”

The 2026 Super Bowl will mark Bad Bunny’s only performance in the continental US in support of his recent album ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos.’ The artist has largely avoided the US as part of his tour, opting instead for Latin America, Europe, Australia — and a home-based residency in Puerto Rico.

His reasoning is rooted in more than just strategy — it’s political and personal. In an interview with i-D, Bad Bunny cited fears about US immigration enforcement targeting his fanbase. “There was the issue of — like, f---ing ICE could be outside [my concert],” he said. “And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.”

That comment, among others, has sparked backlash from conservative commentators who view his stance on immigration as “anti-American.” Trump’s comments now echo that same disapproval.

Why Taylor Swift won’t take the stage

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While the NFL’s pick of Bad Bunny stirred headlines, the absence of another global superstar is also raising eyebrows: Taylor Swift.

Swift, who has been long rumored as a halftime show frontrunner, put those rumors to rest during a candid appearance on ‘The Tonight Show’ with Jimmy Fallon. Despite her ongoing relationship with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce — and a massive global tour under her belt — Swift said the timing just doesn’t feel right.

“Jay-Z has always been very good to me. Our teams are really close. They sometimes will call and say, ‘How does she feel?’ That’s not like an official offer or a conference room conversation,” she told Fallon. While the lines of communication are open, Swift says she’s simply too emotionally invested in the sport because of Kelce.

“The whole season, I am locked in on what that man is doing on the field,” she said. “Can you imagine if he’s out there every single week, putting his life on the line… and I’m like, ‘I wonder what my choreo should be?’” Swift added that Kelce “would love for me to do it,” but she’s “too locked in” to take on the halftime show, at least for now.

From Beyoncé to Shakira, The Weeknd to Kendrick Lamar, the Super Bowl halftime show has evolved into a stage for global talent — and sometimes, political statements. The selection of Bad Bunny continues that trend, for better or worse, depending on who you ask.

For Trump, it’s one more example of what he views as the NFL’s misplaced cultural priorities. For others, it’s a moment of visibility for Latin music and representation on the world’s biggest stage.

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