The Super Bowl halftime show has always been appointment television. Over 120 million viewers tuned in last year to watch Usher command the stage in Las Vegas. The show generates more buzz than most championship games themselves. It’s a cultural moment that transcends football.
The NFL just announced Bad Bunny as the headliner for Super Bowl LX in February 2026 at Levi’s Stadium. The Puerto Rican superstar became the most-streamed artist on Spotify in 2022 and 2023. He’s sold out stadiums across the globe and dominated Latin music for years. But one politician thinks the league made a massive mistake with this booking.
House Speaker Mike Johnson Calls Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Show “Terrible Decision”
Speaker Mike Johnson didn’t hold back when asked about the NFL’s choice. The Louisiana Republican made his thoughts crystal clear during a recent interview.
He admitted he didn’t even know who Bad Bunny was before the announcement, but that didn’t stop him from forming an opinion.
JUST IN: Speaker Johnson reacts to the Bad Bunny Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/ckGAtJT8KK
— Pablo Manríquez (@PabloReports) October 7, 2025
Johnson called it a terrible decision and suggested the league should have taken a completely different direction. He floated Lee Greenwood, the country singer best known for “God Bless the USA,” as an alternative.
If it is Greenwood, I sure hope he does God Bless The USA.
“Speaker Johnson says Bad Bunny ‘terrible decision’ for Super Bowl, suggests Lee Greenwood” https://t.co/wl1yk5MEru
— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) October 7, 2025
The contrast couldn’t be starker. Bad Bunny represents global Latin music domination. Greenwood represents classic American patriotism.
The Speaker’s comments echo criticism from other political figures questioning the booking. Bad Bunny has been vocal about Puerto Rican issues and politics, which has made him a polarizing figure in certain circles.
His music blends reggaeton, trap, and Latin pop into a sound that’s conquered streaming platforms worldwide.
The NFL partnered with Apple Music and Roc Nation for the announcement. Bad Bunny released a statement saying what he feels goes beyond himself and honors those who came before him.
The booking makes strategic sense for a league trying to expand its Latin American fanbase and reach younger demographics, but not everyone is impressed.
NFL Fans Drag Mike Johnson for Hating on Bad Bunny’s Halftime Spot
The reaction online was mixed confusion with mockery. One fan wrote, “He was able to put him down, not know who he is, then know him well enough to know he’s not a good role model.”
Another added, “Speaker Johnson does not know football. Zero chance. Sit this one out, lil guy.”
A third fan took a different approach, noting, “That’s my favorite of his.” The sarcasm cut through the political posturing.
The criticism highlights a growing divide over how the NFL markets itself. Bad Bunny’s three-month concert residency in San Juan recently sparked an economic surge in Puerto Rico.
He’s performed at the Academy Awards and collaborated with some of music’s biggest names, and his global reach is undeniable.
Johnson’s suggestion of Lee Greenwood feels disconnected from where the halftime show has evolved. Recent performers include Rihanna, The Weeknd, Shakira, and Jennifer Lopez.
The NFL chases cultural relevance and massive streaming numbers. Bad Bunny delivers both. The Speaker’s comments might play well in certain political circles, but they miss the bigger picture of what the Super Bowl halftime show has become.
