Bad Bunny delivers historic Spanish-language Super Bowl halftime show celebrating Puerto Rico. Full performance breakdown and Trump’s reaction inside.
Table of Contents
Bad Bunny Delivers Historic All-Spanish Super Bowl Halftime Spectacle Honoring Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny transformed football’s biggest stage into a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture and heritage. The 14-minute halftime spectacle marked unprecedented territory as the first Super Bowl performance conducted entirely in Spanish language.
This landmark entertainment moment blended powerful cultural messaging with star-studded guest appearances at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Performance Overview at a Glance
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Performer | Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio) |
| Duration | 14 minutes |
| Venue | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California |
| Historic achievement | First all-Spanish Super Bowl halftime show |
| Guest performers | Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin |
| Celebrity cameos | Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G, Jessica Alba |
| Key theme | Puerto Rican cultural celebration |
What Made This Performance Historic?
The 31-year-old artist shattered longstanding linguistic barriers on American sports’ grandest platform.
Milestone Achievement
| Record | Significance |
|---|---|
| Language | First entirely Spanish halftime performance |
| Cultural representation | Largest Latino cultural showcase in Super Bowl history |
| Streaming status | World’s most-played artist on Spotify (2025) |
| Previous appearance | Guest performer with Shakira (2020) |
Single English Phrase
Despite performing exclusively in Spanish, the artist delivered one deliberate English statement.
His chosen words:
“God bless America” — followed by naming multiple Central, South, and North American nations while dancers carried corresponding flags.
Star-Studded Guest Appearances
Multiple entertainment icons joined the Puerto Rican headliner throughout his set.
Musical Collaborators
| Artist | Performance |
|---|---|
| Lady Gaga | Salsa-inspired rendition of “Die With A Smile” |
| Ricky Martin | “Lo Que Le Pasó A Hawaii” — cultural preservation anthem |
Celebrity Casita Guests
The performer’s signature stage prop — a traditional Puerto Rican home recreation — hosted notable faces.
| Celebrity | Appearance |
|---|---|
| Pedro Pascal | Dancing on casita porch |
| Jessica Alba | Stage cameo |
| Cardi B | Dancing appearance |
| Karol G | Guest presence |
| Alix Earle | Porch appearance |
Set Design and Visual Journey
The performance transported audiences through distinctly Latin American environments.
Stage Elements Featured
| Set Piece | Cultural Significance |
|---|---|
| Sugarcane field | Caribbean agricultural heritage |
| Nail salon | Community gathering spaces |
| Bar setting | Social culture representation |
| Pink casita | Traditional Puerto Rican home |
| Electricity pylon | Hurricane Maria infrastructure tribute |
Visual Messaging
Two prominent displays communicated unity themes.
| Message | Display Method |
|---|---|
| “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” | Billboard display |
| “Together, We Are America” | Football held by performer |
Hurricane Maria Tribute Elements
Subtle performance moments honored victims of the devastating 2017 storm.
Symbolic References
| Element | Possible Meaning |
|---|---|
| Number 64 sweater | Official death toll figure |
| Electricity pylon climb | Infrastructure destruction tribute |
| Rapping while climbing | Resilience symbolism |
Death Toll Context
| Official count | 64 |
|---|---|
| Estimated actual deaths | Thousands |
| Criticism target | Federal response adequacy |
The Trump administration faced significant Puerto Rican criticism during that period for allegedly providing insufficient support compared to mainland hurricane responses.
Song Setlist Highlights
The Grammy winner performed medleys from his acclaimed catalog.
Featured Tracks
| Song Title | Album Connection |
|---|---|
| Tití Me Preguntó | Hit single |
| MONACO | Popular track |
| BAILE INoLVIDABLE | Fan favorite |
| EoO | “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” album |
| DtMF | Latest album selection |
Album Context
| Album | Debí Tirar Más Fotos (I Should Have Taken More Photos) |
|---|---|
| Release | 2024 |
| Recognition | Grammy Award winner |
| Theme | Puerto Rican heritage celebration |
| US touring | Artist declined mainland performances |
Trump’s Immediate Reaction
The sitting president responded critically through social media channels.
Truth Social Statement
| Platform | Truth Social |
|---|---|
| Attendance | Did not attend Super Bowl |
| Assessment | “Absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER!” |
| Characterization | “An affront to the Greatness of America” |
Reaction Context
Trump’s criticism emerged despite the performer’s explicit “God bless America” declaration and unity-focused messaging throughout the segment.
Previous Political Statements Context
The halftime performance surprised observers expecting direct political criticism.
Recent Grammy Awards Statements
| Event | 2026 Grammy Awards |
|---|---|
| Wins | Three awards including Album of the Year |
| Political statement | Called for “ICE out” |
| Message | Criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement |
Grammy Speech Quote
His recorded words:
“The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that’s more powerful than hate is love, so, please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love.”
Why Bad Bunny Avoided US Mainland Touring
The artist previously explained his decision avoiding American concert dates.
Stated Concerns
| Issue | Explanation |
|---|---|
| ICE presence | Worried fans would face immigration enforcement |
| Tour locations | Central America, South America, Australia, Japan, Europe |
| US exclusion | “Many reasons” cited, “none of them were out of hate” |
Magazine Interview Context
Speaking with i-D publication, the performer expressed genuine concern about audience safety at potential American venues.
Ricky Martin’s Song Selection Significance
Fellow Puerto Rican star’s track choice carried deliberate cultural messaging.
“Lo Que Le Pasó A Hawaii” Analysis
| Song Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Title translation | “What Happened to Hawaii” |
| Core message | Cultural preservation warning |
| Target audience | Puerto Rican community |
| Cautionary theme | Prevent cultural erasure |
This selection reinforced broader performance themes celebrating and protecting Puerto Rican identity.
Lady Gaga’s Latin-Inspired Collaboration
The pop superstar adapted her hit for culturally appropriate integration.
Performance Details
| Original Song | “Die With A Smile” (Bruno Mars collaboration) |
|---|---|
| Adaptation | Salsa-inspired arrangement |
| Integration | Seamless Latin musical styling |
| Reception | Performance highlight moment |
Family and Community Themes
Emotional moments emphasized generational connection and community bonds.
Symbolic Segments
| Moment | Representation |
|---|---|
| Young couple wedding | Latino family traditions |
| Grammy handoff to child | Generational legacy passing |
| Acceptance speech replay | Achievement sharing with community |
| Casita gathering | Extended family culture |
Technical Performance Assessment
Despite minor challenges, the artist delivered commanding stage presence.
Performance Quality
| Aspect | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Early sound | Minor technical issues |
| Vocal delivery | Strong throughout |
| Stage command | Confident presence |
| Choreography | Seamless transitions |
| Guest integration | Well-coordinated appearances |
Stage Coverage
The performer traversed the entire stage area while maintaining consistent vocal quality and audience engagement.
Cultural Impact Assessment
This halftime show represents significant milestone for Latino representation.
Representation Metrics
| Factor | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Language barrier | Broken permanently |
| Platform size | Largest US sporting event |
| Audience reach | Hundreds of millions globally |
| Cultural visibility | Puerto Rican heritage showcased |
| Future implications | Path opened for Spanish-language performers |
Unity Message Analysis
Despite political expectations, the performance emphasized American solidarity.
Unity Elements Deployed
| Element | Implementation |
|---|---|
| “God bless America” | Verbal declaration |
| Flag procession | Multiple American nations represented |
| Billboard message | Love over hate theme |
| Football message | “Together, We Are America” |
| No direct criticism | Administration not attacked |
Expectation vs Reality
| Expectation | Reality |
|---|---|
| Anti-Trump statements | None delivered |
| ICE criticism | Not repeated |
| Political attacks | Absent from performance |
| Actual focus | Cultural celebration and unity |
Frequently Asked Questions
What made Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show historic?
Bad Bunny became the first artist performing an entire Super Bowl halftime show in Spanish language. The 14-minute spectacle at Levi’s Stadium featured Puerto Rican cultural themes, guest appearances from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, plus celebrity cameos from Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, and Jessica Alba.
How did Trump react to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance?
President Trump criticized the performance on Truth Social, calling it “absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER!” and “an affront to the Greatness of America.” This reaction came despite the performer’s explicit “God bless America” statement and unity-focused messaging throughout the segment.
What was the significance of Bad Bunny wearing number 64?
The beige sweater displaying number 64 likely referenced the official Hurricane Maria death toll from 2017. Estimated actual deaths reached thousands, and the Trump administration faced criticism for allegedly inadequate federal response compared to mainland hurricane relief efforts.
Which celebrities appeared during Bad Bunny’s halftime performance?
Lady Gaga performed salsa-inspired rendition of “Die With A Smile” while Ricky Martin sang cultural preservation anthem “Lo Que Le Pasó A Hawaii.” Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, Cardi B, Karol G, and Alix Earle appeared on the signature pink casita stage prop.
Did Bad Bunny make political statements during the Super Bowl?
Unlike his 2026 Grammy acceptance speeches criticizing ICE, Bad Bunny avoided direct political attacks during the halftime performance. Instead, he emphasized unity themes with messages including “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” and “Together, We Are America.”
Conclusion
Bad Bunny’s historic Super Bowl halftime performance shattered linguistic barriers while celebrating Puerto Rican heritage on sports’ grandest stage. Despite expectations of political criticism, the artist delivered unity-focused messaging emphasizing love over hate and American solidarity.
Trump’s negative reaction contrasted sharply with the performance’s inclusive themes and explicit “God bless America” declaration.
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