Conversations are running wild ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl XL halftime show. And much of it is linked to the inclusion (or omission) of Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny in two rival halftime shows.
In the bid to uphold its values of celebrating diversity, performance, and cultural inclusivity, the NFL’s official halftime show lists a Latin solo artist for the first time in Bad Bunny. However, the Charlie Kirk-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA) is organizing a rival all-American halftime show that’s already splitting fans nationwide.
Responding to an X post gaining traction when asked to choose between the options, user @frb_db echoes the comments of several others: “I will tune into the TPUSA half time.”
Sandra Nance @SanNan8087 speaks along the same lines under the post, “Kid Rock! I am not even going to watch the game now . . . Can get the scores online . . .” just as Ron R @RonR06242163 seemingly didn’t need too much brainstorming to tweet “Kid Rock of course!”
However, many other fans and A-list celebrities like Jennifer Lopez have thrown their support for Bad Bunny ahead of his first appearance at Sunday’s event.
Why American Football Is Divided Ahead of Super Bowl LX Halftime Outing
The divide isn’t necessarily about football metrics or preferred athletes. It’s about nationalism and cultural appeal.
Puerto Rica-born Bad Bunny has been at the center of controversies nationwide, especially over his vocal activism against the ICE’s immigration policies. During the rapper’s 2026 Grammy Awards acceptance speech, he slams the ICE and calls for more “love” towards “Americans.”
In his politically stirring words, Bad Bunny says in a viral clip, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ICE out. We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans.”
“The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love. So please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love. We don’t hate them, we love our people and we love our family. And that’s the way to do it, with love.”
Observers have linked his speech to multiple criticisms of the ICE after federal immigration agents shot at Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Meanwhile, the Latin American singer has previously claimed he excluded the US from his global tour in 2025/26 for fear ICE would haunt his fans.
Beyond politics, other fans are concerned about Bad Bunny’s music. X user @AmericaOnly022 wonders aloud “Does bad bunny even have any songs in English?” while previous Bad-Bunny-critics have flagged his super sensual lyrics.
However, despite the backlash against Bad Bunny’s inclusion, several other fans are thrilled to find the first Latin American on America’s biggest entertainment stage. Meanwhile, the NFL Commissioner has insisted there are no plans to replace Bad Bunny, while announcing he doesn’t expect the singer to make politically inciting statements during the half-hour show.
For the NFL, the Super Bowl Halftime show is about entertaining its audience – the best way it deems fit. Hopefully, the Super Bowl won’t have a rather abysmal viewership, as X user Travis McTravesty @TMcTravesty predicts, “If this superbowl doesn’t have the lowest viewers in history, it will be very telling.”
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