After Donald Trump and his MAGA loyalists lost their collective minds over Bad Bunny being tapped to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, the league made one thing clear: the decision is final—and they’re not here to please everyone.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell broke his silence this week, responding to the conservative outrage swirling since the September announcement. Speaking after the league’s fall meeting, Goodell didn’t mince words. “It’s carefully thought through,” he said. “I’m not sure we’ve ever picked a halftime performer without some blowback.” He pointed out the obvious: Bad Bunny isn’t just famous—he’s global. “He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world,” Goodell said. “That’s what we try to achieve.”
The backlash from the right has been loud—and ridiculous. Trump, doing his usual performance on Newsmax, claimed he had no idea who Bad Bunny even was. “I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy,” Trump rambled, trying to pin the move on some shadowy promoter.
But let’s be real: This isn’t just about music. It’s cultural. It’s political. It’s MAGA rage over a Spanish-speaking Puerto Rican artist dominating a stage that, in their eyes, should belong to someone who sings in English and waves an American flag.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, never one to miss a shot at cringeworthy outrage, called Bad Bunny’s work “demonic” while also demanding that English be made the official language of the U.S.—because apparently hearing Spanish at the Super Bowl is now a threat to national security.
And then there’s Turning Point USA. Still shaken by the killing of their founder Charlie Kirk during a political event just weeks ago, the far-right group announced they’ll launch their own “patriotic halftime show.” Expect more flags, less rhythm.
In the end, the NFL isn’t playing into the culture war circus. They picked a performer with massive global appeal—one who breaks records, sells out stadiums, and unapologetically brings his culture with him. That’s the future. MAGA can scream all it wants, but the beat goes on.
And yes, it might be in Spanish. Deal with it.
