A brutal show of dance and plasticity, a display of rhythm, creativity, and aesthetics. A joyful and contagious vindication of the plural and open soul of America as a country, as a continent, as an opportunity, as inclusion. As an idea. A tribute to Puerto Rican culture, with sugar canes, elderly people playing dominoes, and jíbaros with their modest straw hats. With Toñita, the owner of one of the most famous venues in Brooklyn for immigrants. With his Casita and even a royal wedding. Benito Antonio Ramírez Ocasio, more than Bad Bunny, stood up this Sunday, and vindicated, millions of Latin Americans with a show sung entirely (by him) in Spanish, a performance of his best hits accompanied by hundreds of extras and two major stars, Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. A cry for harmony that has once again unleashed the wrath of the President of the United States.
Benito did it true to his style, to his classics, from yesterday and today, in a display of 'soft' politics, indirect. Messages of love against hate, of joy against permanent anger. With an American football with the words "Together we are America." There were no political slogans, not directly. Not like at the Grammys, where the artist explicitly protested against ICE, the immigration agency that searches for foreigners throughout the country. Nor like Jennifer Lopez did, with children locked in cages to denounce the separation of minors during Trump's first term. But the entire show was a clamor against what Trump and his followers represent. A vindication of unity, of harmony, with flags from all American nations, from north to south. Even with nods to the boy Liam Conejo Ramos, detained this month by the administration, taken thousands of kilometers from his home, and whom they want to deport by all means.
All this was enough to enrage Trump. "The Super Bowl halftime show has been absolutely terrible, one of the worst in history! It makes no sense, it is an affront to the greatness of the United States and does not represent our standards of success, creativity, or excellence. No one understands a word of what this guy is saying, and the dance is repugnant, especially for young children watching from all over the United States and the world. This "show" is a slap in the face to our country, which sets new standards and records every day, including the best stock market and retirement plans in history! There is nothing inspiring in this halftime disaster; it will receive excellent reviews from fake media because they have no idea what is happening in the real world," wrote the president on his social network indicating that he had not paid attention to the boycott proposed by his supporters.
It was precisely because of these reactions that the eyes of half the planet were on the Puerto Rican artist, who did not disappoint in his staging, a recreation of a Puerto Rican bodega, a wedding, the life of any Latin who loves his land but seeks opportunities where he can find them. Who doubts himself because of criticism, hatred, persecution. "Here we are," he said at the end. That's how we do it, he must have thought while at one point in the performance he handed over his recent Grammy for Album of the Year to a young child representing him in the past.
The performance, a success from afar, did not, however, connect with the American audience present at the San Francisco 49ers stadium in California. There were applause, some (little) dancing, and some emotion with a couple of his most popular hits, but the attendees clearly were not the usual audience for the Puerto Rican artist. They did not understand, did not connect, and did not go crazy. The biggest ovation of the night, probably, was for Lady Gaga. Imperial, singing in English a version of one of her hits with Bruno Mars, recognized and admired by many more in the stands.
It is evident that there was much more singing, dancing, and connection with Green Day before the start of the game, or with Sweet Caroline on the speakers in the last quarter of the game. Bunny put on an excellent show for the cameras, but somewhat more challenging to follow from a distance inside the field, except for the message, huge, that sums up his intention: "The only thing more powerful than hate is love." In English.
The stadium, packed to the rafters with 71,000 souls, was full of the artist's friends. On stage, closely accompanying, were Jessica Alba, Pedro Pascal, Karol G, Cardi B, Alix Earle, David Grutman, and other celebrities.
In the boxes, many more celebrities and artists were present: Roger Federer, Kane Brown, Richard Sherman, Chris Pratt, Bon Jovi, Adam Sandler, Robe Lowe, or Marcus Allen. Travis Scott or Tim Cook. Billie Joe Armstrong, Ty Dolla $ign, and Flava Flav. The player and podcaster Travis Kelce, engaged to Taylor Swift. JAY-Z with his daughters Rumi and Blue Ivy. The YouTubers Logan Paul and Mr. Beast. Actors Orlando Bloom, Kevin Costner, Leonardo DiCaprio, Damson Idris, or Jamie Foxx. Kendall Jenner and 21 Savage. Justin Bieber, Livvy Dunne, Becky G.
The most listened-to artist of 2025 arrived in San Francisco calmly and with enormous secrecy, without a single detail of the show, the planned songs, the possible guest artists, and the tone of the message expected to be launched leaking. The most important thing in the show that has generated more controversy and expectation in decades. Bunny appeared amidst insults, attacks, disdain, and a massive attempt at boycott promoted by the American right, Trumpism, figures from the evangelical movement, and a part of the United States that does not understand or accept that there is an artist unknown to them who not only sings in another language but does so proudly. And with a political message against Donald Trump's immigration policies.
"America, the beautiful. THANK YOU, BAD BUNNY," celebrated California Governor Gavin Newsom, one of the president's best-known critics. "Bad Bunny... sending you all the love, positivity, and the biggest hug in the world. We are all with you tonight! I know you're going to kill it. I'm here with you just as you were with me. So proud to be Puerto Rican! Give it your all, Benito. As only you can! #LatinoGangGang," Jennifer Lopez wrote to him shortly before the show, the last Latin artist at a Super Bowl halftime show that not only united her with Shakira but also gave Bad Bunny himself the opportunity to participate briefly. His first time.
Turning Point USA, the organization of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, during an event at a university in September, promoted an 'All-American Halftime Show,' a rival show "purely American" with conservative artists like Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, or Gabby Barrett. Backed by the Republican Party or retired NFL stars like Brett Favre, the former Packers quarterback. A show completely overshadowed by a game with over 100 million viewers.