Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show Ignites National Debate on American Identity
As blue, red, and white fireworks illuminated the sky at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Bad Bunny concluded his Super Bowl halftime performance with a powerful on-screen message: "The only thing more powerful than hate is love." This 13-minute spectacle, watched by an estimated 135.4 million viewers, transformed the football pitch into a vibrant tribute to Puerto Rican culture, featuring cinematic scenes of sugar cane fields, a lively house party, and a wedding ceremony with a surprise appearance by Lady Gaga.
Cultural Celebration Meets Political Commentary
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, infused his performance with rich political and historical references. He carried the Puerto Rican independence flag, a symbol outlawed until 1952, and Lady Gaga wore a dress in its distinctive sky blue hue during their duet. The show included subtle nods to issues like gentrification, with Ricky Martin performing a song critiquing white tourism in Puerto Rico, and references to the territory's frequent power outages through dancers on fizzling electricity pylons.
The performance also highlighted Bad Bunny's global influence, as he recently dethroned Taylor Swift as Spotify's most-streamed artist with over 19.8 billion streams last year. His Grammy-winning album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, blends traditional Puerto Rican music with hip-hop and reggaeton, underscoring his cultural impact.
Reactions from Celebrities and Political Figures
Celebrities rallied in support of Bad Bunny's show. Kacey Musgraves tweeted that it made her feel "more proudly American than anything Kid Rock has ever done," while Doechii praised it as "history." Meghan McCain defended the performance, questioning the taste of critics. In contrast, Donald Trump called it "absolutely terrible" and a "slap in the face to our country" on Truth Social. Piers Morgan countered Trump, noting that Spanish is the first language for over 50 million Americans.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared Sunday "national Bad Bunny day" in the state, thanking the artist for showcasing "America, the beautiful." Tom Brady summed up the positive response with an enthusiastic "Amazing!!!!!!!!!" on Instagram.
Alternative Show Draws Limited Audience
Meanwhile, the rightwing Turning Point USA's All-American Halftime Show, which promised to celebrate "American culture, freedom, and faith," attracted only 5.2 million viewers. Featuring Kid Rock in a stars and stripes backdrop, the event was partly lip-synced and mocked by artists like Zach Bryan, who shared a video of someone blocking Bad Bunny's performance to watch the alternative.
Bad Bunny's show emphasized a broad definition of America, shouting "God bless America" while listing the US and Puerto Rico as "mi madre." Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho praised it as a reminder to the US of its identity, and the Guardian's Stefanie Fernández awarded it five stars, calling it a celebration of community and joy.
This performance not only entertained millions but also sparked a national conversation on inclusivity, culture, and what it means to be American in today's diverse society.
