This Sunday, the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will compete in the LX Super Bowl, the final of the NFL, the biggest American football league. With no historic rivalry between the teams, astonishing records to break, or larger-than-life figures stealing the spotlight, attention has shifted in recent days. Towards the 'electrical substation theory,' the latest semi-conspiratorial theory about how the electromagnetic fields from a power station near the San Francisco 49ers stadium, where the game is being played, are affecting the players. To the fans' anger because the Hall of Fame did not include the legendary coach Bill Belichick. And above all, to the highly anticipated and controversial performance of Bad Bunny at halftime.
The choice of the Puerto Rican artist last September immediately enraged half the country, especially President Donald Trump (who will not attend the event this year) and his followers, outraged by the fact that the artist will sing in Spanish and due to his political stances. "They have four months to learn the language," said the singer in October during an appearance on Saturday Night Live, sparking a wave of fury. The situation has only worsened since last Sunday, at the Grammy Awards where he won Album of the Year, he criticized ICE, the immigration agency that has been the focus of protests nationwide, and concluded his acceptance speech in his native language.
Turning Point USA, the organization founded by the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed in September, has promoted an 'All-American Halftime Show,' a rival "purely American" spectacle to compete for viewers during halftime, with the support of Senators (Tommy Tuberville from Alabama, a former award-winning college football coach, has dubbed the game 'Woke Ball'), congressmen, and Republicans in general. Featuring performances by Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. "We face this program like David and Goliath," said Kid Rock on Monday. "Competing with the professional football machinery and a global pop superstar is almost impossible... or is it?" "I don't know who that person is," Trump said about Bad Bunny. "I don't know why they do it. It's crazy. And then they blame a promoter they hired to handle the entertainment. It seems absolutely ridiculous."
An "Excessively Political and Sexual" Show
An online petition on Change.org has gathered 100,000 signatures calling for a boycott. The organization One Million Moms has called on Christians to boycott the rapper's performance, denouncing it as an "excessively political and sexual" show focused on "queer icons."
The attack from conservative media, social networks, and MAGA influencers is brutal. "Bad Bunny is not an American artist," activist Tomi Lahren repeatedly says about the Puerto Rican artist. The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, has flirted with the idea of having ICE present at the halftime show. Her partner and chief advisor at the Department said on the same podcast: "It's shameful that they have chosen someone who seems to hate America so much to represent them." There is much more.
"They don't care about having a transvestite who doesn't speak English singing; if Kamala Harris had won the election, she would be in his cabinet," said a guest on Fox News that went viral. "We all know that the halftime show is for women; men go to the bathroom during that time," responded laughing star presenter Jesse Watters.
But the NFL and its owners, predominantly white and conservative, are desperately seeking to increase international viewership. This season, official games have been played in São Paulo, Dublin, London, Berlin, and Madrid. The league will add Australia in 2026. Commissioner Roger Goodell has stated that he wants each team to play at least one game abroad every year. "Look, Bad Bunny is, and I think that was demonstrated this Sunday, one of the best artists in the world, and that is one of the reasons we chose him. The other reason is that he understood the platform he was on, and this platform is used to unite people with his creativity and talent, and to seize this moment to achieve it, and I think other artists have done it. I think Bad Bunny understands it, and I think he will have a great performance," the commissioner said this week.
A survey with league players published this week by The Athletic shows that 41% of them did not like the choice of Bad Bunny. Some were very explicit, but a significant portion cited not knowing the artist at all or preferring other musical styles. "I don't even know who Bad Bunny is. I think it should always be an American artist. I think they are trying too hard with this internationality," said one of the respondents despite the musician being an American citizen. "I don't like it. I would prefer someone who is more connected to football culture," said another player.
"Obviously, I have heard his music, but I don't speak Spanish, so I don't like it much. But I do think it's great to have him because the United States is based on diversity. The United States was built on immigration. So I think having him just promotes that American dream. I like it. I like the choice," replied another anonymous player. DeMarcus Lawrence of the Seahawks pointed out in pre-game interviews yesterday the importance for Spanish-speaking people. "We have so many cultures and ethnic backgrounds in the United States that I think it's time to start accepting them all... that's what really makes America great."
In reality, Sunday's appearance will not be the musician's first. In 2020, the Super Bowl show featured two established stars, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, but Bad Bunny also made an appearance. Now, the NFL is focusing on the Latino audience, with over 70 million potential consumers and viewers, and is willing to stir controversy to make a gesture. Nor will it be the only controversy.
The show is accustomed to discussions, controversy (like Janet Jackson's famous wardrobe malfunction), but above all, surprises. Trump has also expressed his displeasure with Green Day's performance before the game, after the band changed the lyrics of their hit 'American Idiot' in some performances to now say "I'm not part of the MAGA agenda." Meanwhile, Charlie Puth will sing the national anthem, and composer Brandi Carlile will perform America the Beautiful, one of the quintessential patriotic songs.