US House Speaker Mike Johnson has called for Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny to be replaced by country singer Lee Greenwood at the Super Bowl LX halftime show, describing the original choice as “terrible”. Johnson, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, said the Latin trap star does not appeal to a broad audience and suggested Greenwood, known for his song “God Bless the USA”, would be a more suitable role model.
Speaking to influencer Pablo Manriquez, Johnson admitted he had not heard of Bad Bunny before the announcement. “It sounds like a terrible decision in my view,” he said, adding that Greenwood, who has sold 25 million albums, would be a better fit despite Bad Bunny’s global sales of over 111.9 million records. Johnson also cited concerns about young viewers, saying the Super Bowl attracts “a lot of young and impressionable children”.
President Trump has also criticised the choice, telling Newsmax that Bad Bunny “does not seem like a unifying entertainer” and claiming “a lot of folks don’t even know who he is”. The administration has threatened to station ICE agents at the event, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem saying officers will be “all over” the Super Bowl. Bad Bunny has previously stated he will not tour in the US due to fears of arrests at his shows.
Despite the backlash, the rapper has received support from figures such as Jennifer Lopez, who told the Today Show he will “blow everyone’s minds”. Bad Bunny himself thanked Latinos and those who “opened doors” for him during a recent appearance on Saturday Night Live, joking that the audience has “four months” to learn Spanish before his performance.
