The NFL’s announcement that Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny will headline the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show has ignited fierce backlash from conservative circles and Trump allies. Within hours of the reveal, prominent right-wing commentators accused the league of “pandering to woke culture” instead of focusing on football. GSN reported:
“Soon after the NFL’s announcement that Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny would headline the Super Bowl halftime show, conservative media outlets and Trump administration officials went on the attack.”
GSN-Soon after the NFL’s announcement that Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny would headline the Super Bowl halftime show, conservative media outlets and Trump administration officials went on the attack. https://t.co/Gvzb8ikryR
— HJ (Hank) Ellison (@hjtherealj) October 18, 2025
NFL Halftime Show Sparks Political Firestorm as Bad Bunny’s Selection Divides Fans
The response to the halftime show indicates increased cultural tension in American football. In the past few years, the NFL has not been able to manage the mixture of entertainment, activism, and patriotism, and this combination still separates the main fan base of this sport. The recent scandal highlights the extent to which sports fans have turned into a significant political identity.
Conservative voices immediately framed Bad Bunny’s selection as an intentional provocation. Commentator Benny Johnson called him a “massive Trump hater” and “anti-ICE activist,” while Fox News host Tomi Lahren claimed the league had “abandoned American artists.” Critics argue the NFL is prioritizing “woke optics” over audience preferences. The pushback intensified when Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggested ICE agents “will be all over” the 2026 Super Bowl, an apparent nod to immigration-related scrutiny surrounding the Puerto Rican star.
The controversy arrives amid mounting signs of fan discontent. Reports suggest a 10% drop in TV viewership and visible declines in stadium attendance since last season. Social media amplifies the discontent, with many claiming the losses are higher.
One viral post read, “Every report claims a 10% drop in viewership, this is BS, the loss is much higher… here’s the media creating fake news to support a lib cause.”
The announcement triggered a flood of reactions on X, revealing how politically charged NFL viewership has become.
One fan wrote, “We boycotted before Trump entered the spotlight. It’s not about Team Trump, it’s about disrespecting the flag, the anthem, and shoving personal politics in my face when I came for entertainment.”
Another declared, “Stand for the flag, turn off the NFL.”
The anger also translated into calls for boycotts. “Boycott the Super Bowl and all advertisers and sponsors,” posted one user.
While another added, “NFL is as corrupt as the government.” Many echoed the now-familiar sentiment circulating through conservative spaces: “NFL continues to get sacked by Trump Team USA empty stadiums across the country.”
With criticism mounting, there is a revived question of the league’s direction. Whether Bad Bunny’s performance enhances the brand’s popularity globally or increases internal polarities, the NFL halftime stage has turned into a battlefield of America’s cultural and political conflicts.
