Santa Clara, California – An estimated 135.4 million viewers tuned in to witness Bad Bunny’s electrifying Super Bowl halftime show on February 9, 2026, a performance that instantly sparked debate and underscored the evolving definition of American representation.
A Cultural Collision: Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Statement
The Puerto Rican superstar’s 13-minute set was a vibrant celebration of heritage, community, and a pointed message about inclusivity.
- Bad Bunny’s halftime show drew 135.4 million viewers, dwarfing the 5.2 million who watched Turning Point USA’s alternative event.
- The performance featured a rich tapestry of Puerto Rican culture, including references to independence movements and the island’s ongoing struggles.
- Celebrities and political figures alike weighed in, with some praising the show’s inclusivity and others criticizing it as unpatriotic.
- Bad Bunny’s performance followed his Grammy win for Album of the Year, solidifying his status as a global music icon.
The artist, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, transformed the Levi’s Stadium field into a cinematic landscape, showcasing everything from lush sugarcane fields to a lively house party and even a surprise wedding ceremony featuring a show-stopping performance by Lady Gaga. The spectacle wasn’t just entertainment; it was a love letter to Puerto Rico, steeped in political and historical significance.
What defines “America”? Bad Bunny’s show boldly suggested it’s far broader than many realize. Before launching into his set, he proclaimed “God bless America,” immediately followed by a roll call of countries and territories, pointedly including “my mother,” Puerto Rico.
The contrast with the right-wing Turning Point USA’s “All-American Halftime Show” was stark. That event, which aimed to champion “American culture, freedom and faith,” attracted a mere 5.2 million viewers and featured country singer Kid Rock performing against a backdrop of stars and stripes, with reports suggesting lip-syncing was involved.
The reaction was swift and polarized. On Truth Social, former President Donald Trump called Bad Bunny’s show “absolutely terrible, one of the worst” and a “slap in the face to our country.” Piers Morgan quickly countered, writing on X: “Couldn’t disagree more, Mr President. I absolutely loved Bad Bunny’s halftime show … Oh, and Spanish is 1st language for 50m+ Americans!”
Meghan McCain also voiced her support, writing on X: “I’m sorry but I just genuinely question your taste level if you didn’t enjoy the Bad Bunny halftime show.”
The celebrity endorsements continued. Grammy-winning artist Kacey Musgraves wrote on X: “That made me feel more proudly American than anything Kid Rock has ever done.” Rapper Doechii added, writing: “Bad Bunny WOW ! Fucking, WOW . History.”
Country star Zach Bryan chimed in with a satirical jab at the alternative show, sharing a video on Instagram depicting someone seemingly uninterested in Bad Bunny’s performance while watching Turning Point USA. He captioned it: “What kid rock actually thinks is happening across America.”
Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho, whose film The Secret Agent is an Oscar contender, wrote on Instagram: “What a beautiful and extraordinary thing, Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl reminding the US who they are and where they are.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X: “America, the beautiful. THANK YOU, BAD BUNNY.” He had previously declared Sunday “national Bad Bunny day” in California. Tom Brady simply summed up the widespread enthusiasm with an “Amazing!!!!!!!!!” post on his Instagram story.
In a five-star review, Stefanie Fernández described the performance as a celebration of “the love, the community and the absolute joy that we create together every day in spite of everything else.”
Bad Bunny’s momentum continues following his Grammy win earlier this month for Album of the Year for his 2025 release, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, a genre-bending work that fuses traditional Puerto Rican sounds with hip-hop and reggaeton. During his acceptance speech, he powerfully stated: “We are not savages, we are not animals, we are not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans … The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love.”
Last year, Bad Bunny was Spotify’s most-streamed global artist, racking up over 19.8 billion streams and surpassing Taylor Swift, who had held the title for the previous two years.
Subtle yet frequent political references permeated the show. Bad Bunny carried the Puerto Rican flag of independence – outlawed until 1952 and distinguished by its sky-blue triangle. Lady Gaga echoed the symbolism, wearing a dress in the same shade during a salsa rendition of her 2024 duet with Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile.”
Ricky Martin joined Bad Bunny onstage to perform “Lo Que le Pasó a Hawaii,” a poignant plea against gentrification and tourism’s impact on Puerto Rico, with lyrics translating to “I don’t want them to do to you what they did to Hawaii.” He later wrote on social media: “I need several hours to process the tsunami of emotions I’m feeling.”
During “El Apagón,” Bad Bunny highlighted Puerto Rico’s frequent power outages, with dancers performing alongside crumbling electricity pylons.
The show also showcased Bad Bunny’s approachable side with a “house party” segment featuring stars including Cardi B, Pedro Pascal, and Karol G.
Prior to the performance, Bad Bunny said: “I really want people to have fun. It’s gonna be a huge party. I want to bring what people can always expect from me, and a lot of my culture.”
