Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance Sparks Outcry From Trump Supporters
Santa Clara, CA – February 11, 2024 – The proclamation that Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show on February 8th in Santa Clara, California, has ignited a wave of criticism from conservative figures aligned with former President Donald Trump. The backlash centers on the Puerto Rican singer’s political endorsements, musical style, and challenges to customary gender norms.
The controversy began following the announcement, with several prominent right-wing content creators voicing their disapproval on social media platform X. Benny Johnson, a content producer with over five million followers, stated on Monday, “‘Hates Trump’, ’No songs in English,’ [the] NFL is self-destructing year after year,” criticizing the singer. Sébastien Gorkka’s vice-assistant on social network also accused the NFL of being out of touch.
Critics point to Bad Bunny‘s public support of Democrat Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election, contrasting his stance with the policies of the Republican President, who, upon returning to power, has enacted measures impacting transgender individuals and undocumented immigrants, particularly those from Central and Latin America.
far-right content producer Jack Posobiec,boasting over three million followers on X,highlighted the role of Roc Nation,Jay-Z’s entertainment company,in selecting the super Bowl performer. “The best friend of (former president) Barack obama, (musician) Jay-Z, generates the super Bowl selection process through his company, Roc Nation, which has an exclusive contract with NFL. It is he who chooses the show of the break, the most viewed musical show in the United States,” Posobiec stated on Monday. roc Nation has produced the Super Bowl halftime show as 2019.
Beyond politics, some critics have expressed disapproval of Bad Bunny’s music, with some labeling it “demonic” due to its primarily Spanish lyrics. Others have taken issue with the artist’s embrace of gender fluidity, referencing his appearances in traditionally feminine attire in music videos and his vocal support for LGBTQIA+ rights and opposition to prejudice against transgender people.
The controversy underscores the increasingly polarized cultural landscape in the United States, where entertainment choices are often viewed through a political lens.Bad Bunny, one of the world’s most streamed artists, remains a significant cultural force, and his Super Bowl performance is expected to draw a massive audience despite the ongoing criticism.
