Post Reports: "Bad Bunny, the Super Bowl and a MAGA Meltdown"

Date: October 9, 2025
Host: Colby Yakowitz
Guest: Sabrina Rodriguez, National Politics Reporter

Episode Overview

This episode explores the cultural and political backlash following the NFL's announcement that Bad Bunny—a Puerto Rican global music superstar—will headline the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show. The hosts delve into why Bad Bunny's selection has stirred controversy among MAGA supporters, examine wider debates on identity, language, and American cultural institutions, and highlight reactions from key political figures, the NFL, and Bad Bunny himself.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bad Bunny’s Meteoric Rise and Super Bowl Selection

[00:01 – 02:58]

• Background:

  • Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio) released the hit album Debitrar Mas Photos in 2025, topping charts worldwide.
  • He’s “one of the most streamed artists in the world,” often in competition with Taylor Swift.
  • The NFL announced Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl Halftime performer in a “textbook” fashion during a Sunday Night Football game.

• Fan and Artist Reaction:

  • Fans were widely supportive, seeing it as a natural culmination of Bad Bunny’s success.
  • Bad Bunny’s statement expressed pride and cultural solidarity:

    “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me…This is for my people, my culture, and our history. Halftime show at Super Bowl. Go and tell your grandma that we’re going to be the halftime show of the Super Bowl.” (Bad Bunny, [02:18])

2. Right-Wing and MAGA Backlash

[02:58 – 04:25]

• Immediate Conservative Outcry:
  • Right-wing influencers and MAGA commentators railed against the choice, focusing on:
    • Bad Bunny performs exclusively in Spanish.
    • Sexual and “demonic” content in his music.
    • Social media backlash included posts like former racing driver Danica Patrick’s:

      “No songs in English should not be allowed at one of America’s highest-rated television events of the year.” (Danica Patrick, paraphrased by Sabrina Rodriguez, [03:30])

    • Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene commented on X:

      “…a good time to pass my bill to make English the official language of America and the NFL needs to stop having demonic sexual performances during its halftime shows.” ([03:54])

3. Immigration Politics & ICE Enforcement Threats

[04:25 – 07:56]

• Bad Bunny’s ICE Concerns:

  • Bad Bunny avoided U.S. mainland tour stops “because of fears that his concerts could become a real spot for ICE raids,” given his large Latino fanbase.
  • Colby clarifies:

    “He’s basically saying, I don’t want to endanger my fans.” ([05:51])

• Trump Administration’s Response:

  • Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on The Benny Show:

    “There will be [ICE enforcement] because the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for keeping it safe…We’ll be all over that place and…I think people should not be coming to the Super Bowl unless they’re law abiding Americans who love this country.” (Kristi Noem, [06:32 – 06:41])

    • Noem went on to directly criticize the NFL:

      “They suck and we’ll win and God will bless us and we’ll stand and be proud of ourselves at the end of the day and they won’t be able to sleep at night.” (Kristi Noem, [06:56])

• Uncertainty Over Enforcement:

  • It’s not clear what ICE presence would actually look like—ID checks for attendees, performers, or staff?

    “There really hasn’t been many details released about what that will look like, but…Noem and President Trump’s advisor Corey Lewandowski…clearly send a message.” (Sabrina Rodriguez, [07:17])

4. Donald Trump’s Response: Downplaying the Controversy

[07:56 – 09:30]

• Delayed Engagement:
  • Trump didn’t comment for over a week.
• Newsmax Interview:
  • Host Greg Kelly teed up a boycott, but Trump pivoted away from the topic:
    • “He spoke very briefly about Bad Bunny and then pivoted very quickly to complaining about the kickoff rule in the NFL.” (Sabrina Rodriguez, [09:23])
    • Kelly:

      “The NFL just chose the bad bunny rabbit or whatever his name...Do you think maybe we should just kind of entertain blowing off the NFL?” ([08:22])

    • Trump:

      Quickly changed subject to NFL kickoff rules ([09:14]).

5. Bad Bunny’s SNL Response & His Message to Latinos

[09:30 – 11:12]

• Mocking Critics:

  • Hosted SNL, used the opening monologue for playful jabs:
    • “You might not know this, but I’m doing the Super Bowl halftime show. And I’m very happy. I’m very happy and I think everyone is happy about it.” ([10:03])
  • SNL montage joked even Fox News backed him, with playful fake praises.

• Direct Message to Latinos:

  • Delivered a message in Spanish:

    “His selection was an achievement for all Latinos…and that no one can remove or erase our mark and contributions to this country.” (Paraphrased by Sabrina Rodriguez, [10:31])

  • Punctuated with a challenge to critics:

    “…if you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.” ([10:48])

6. Cultural Context: Puerto Rico, Trump, and the NFL

[13:10 – 16:54]

• Bad Bunny’s Political Stance:

  • Proudly Puerto Rican—can’t vote in U.S. presidential elections unless living on the mainland.
  • Was active in Hurricane Maria relief, critical of Trump’s leadership (“Are you a tweeter or a president?” T-shirt at Somos Live benefit).
  • Endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024 after an anti-Puerto Rican joke circulated at a Trump rally.

    “There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. Yeah, I think it’s called Puerto Rico.” (Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe via Colby Yakowitz, [15:21])

• NFL’s Calculated Pick:

  • NFL has not officially commented on the backlash, but statement at announcement:

    “As one of the most influential and streamed artists in the world, his unique ability to bridge genres, languages, and audiences makes him an exciting and natural choice…” (NFL official, provided by Sabrina Rodriguez, [17:00])

  • NFL is intentionally courting a global/international audience:

    “They’ve been very clear that there is a lot of money to be made by looking at international audiences and really trying to expand the footprint of the NFL.” (Sabrina Rodriguez, [18:08])

7. Larger Implications: Identity, Multiculturalism, and Political Power

[18:21 – 19:55]

• Bad Bunny as a Symbol:
  • “Bad Bunny’s existence is political.” His unapologetic embrace of being Puerto Rican and performing in Spanish makes him polarizing in the current climate.
• Political Influence of Latin Artists:
  • Celebrity endorsements have limited direct electoral impact, but the choice of Bad Bunny “is particularly going to resonate with Latinos and…I think beyond to people that are just paying attention to this moment in politics and culture.” (Sabrina Rodriguez, [19:36])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. 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.”
  — Bad Bunny ([02:18])

• “No songs in English should not be allowed at one of America’s highest rated television events of the year.”
  — Danica Patrick, via Sabrina Rodriguez ([03:30])

• “ICE will be all over that place and I can’t…we’re going to enforce the law.”
  — Kristi Noem ([06:41])

• “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”
  — Bad Bunny on SNL ([10:48])

• “Bad Bunny’s existence is political. … This is Bad Bunny’s brand, is him unapologetically Puerto Rican, his unapologetically singing in Spanish.”
  — Sabrina Rodriguez ([19:18])

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:01 | Introduction & Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl selection | | 02:11 | Bad Bunny’s proud statement for fans & culture | | 03:17 | Outrage from MAGA commentators over Bad Bunny’s selection | | 04:40 | Bad Bunny’s concern about ICE and tour dates | | 06:32 | Kristi Noem announces ICE presence at the Super Bowl | | 08:04 | Trump avoids direct engagement with the controversy | | 09:39 | Bad Bunny addresses backlash humorously on SNL | | 13:10 | Historical/political context: Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny’s activism | | 16:19 | Trump’s evolving relationship with the NFL | | 17:00 | NFL’s official rationale for choosing Bad Bunny | | 18:48 | Reflection on Bad Bunny’s influence on American identity politics |

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

The controversy over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl headlining gig reveals deep fissures in American identity politics, with his unapologetic celebration of Latino culture and the Spanish language met with both adulation and nativist backlash. The episode demonstrates that pop culture, especially on marquee stages like the Super Bowl, is a battleground for broader debates over who gets to define American-ness in the 2020s.

For listeners wanting a nuanced, big-picture view of the latest intersection between sports, politics, and culture wars, this episode offers essential reporting and thoughtful analysis on how a halftime show became a national flashpoint.