The NFL\u2019s decision to name Bad Bunny as the next Super Bowl halftime headliner has triggered an immediate wave of outrage from MAGA circles<\/p>\n
Appointing a halftime show headliner is always a contentious event, but the tone and type of debate vary dramatically based on the actual performer. Sometimes, the debate is on the quality and appeal of the music itself. Other times, people have claimed to be debating the music while insidious undertones suggest it’s more about misogyny or racism.<\/p>\n
But now MAGA<\/a> is saying what used to be the quiet part out loud\u2014they don’t want Bad Bunny<\/a> performing at the Super Bowl<\/a> halftime show because his music is in Spanish, and a lot of them seem to be incorrectly assuming he’s not a U.S. citizen.<\/p>\n Bad Bunny is a Puerto Rican artist who has repeatedly topped Billboard charts and was the most listened to artist worldwide on Spotify for three years in a row. Since then, he’s maintained a spot in the top three and continued to make new music while also venturing into acting and wrestling.<\/p>\n Many people have theorized that he was chosen as the halftime performer specifically because of his international appeal.<\/p>\n “Bad Bunny will be breaking all halftime show records because of his international audience,” wrote<\/a> @Jeremy_Hecht. “An audience that the NFL has been trying to tap into for a longtime. Not to mention he\u2019s the 2nd most-streamed artist IN AMERICA besides Taylor Swift. He\u2019s a perfect pick.”<\/p>\n But MAGA folks describe him differently. Rightwing podcaster Benny Johnson made a now-viral post on X “introducing” his audience to Bad Bunny by writing that he’s a “Massive Trump hater,” “Anti-ICE activist,” “No songs in English.”<\/p>\n “He even canceled his entire U.S. tour for this reason: ‘F***ing ICE could be outside my concert. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about,'” he wrote.<\/p>\nWho is Bad Bunny?<\/h2>\n