Puerto Rican music superstar Bad Bunny used his hosting debut on the season premiere of Saturday Night Live to respond to backlash over his upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance set for February 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California.
The artist, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, addressed criticism from conservative commentators who objected to his Spanish-language music and past decision to avoid touring the U.S. mainland due to fears of ICE raids targeting his fans.
During his bilingual monologue, Bad Bunny leaned into humor and cultural pride. He joked that “even Fox News” was happy about his Super Bowl gig, leading into a parody montage of network personalities edited to say, “Bad Bunny is my favorite musician and he should be the next president.”
Switching to Spanish, he praised the contributions of Latinos in the U.S., declaring, “Our footprints and our contributions in this country — no one will ever be able to take that away or erase it.”
He ended with a cheeky challenge: “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”
The performance came amid political commentary surrounding the halftime show. Former Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski claimed ICE would be present at the Super Bowl, while conservative podcaster Benny Johnson labeled Bad Bunny “anti-ICE” and “a massive Trump hater.”
Despite the criticism, Bad Bunny’s SNL appearance signaled his intent to stand firm and unapologetic. His message in Spanish was both a cultural statement and a show of defiance ahead of one of the world’s most-watched live events.
Bad Bunny’s rise to global fame has been marked by his fusion of reggaeton, Latin trap, rap, and pop. He recently completed a sold-out residency in Puerto Rico and has used his platform to speak out against immigration policies under President Donald Trump.
His decision to skip U.S. tour dates reflects concerns about ICE targeting concertgoers. Now, as the Super Bowl approaches, his halftime show is poised to be one of the most talked-about in NFL history.
The NFL’s partnership with Roc Nation, founded by Jay-Z, has shaped recent halftime lineups, including Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, The Weeknd, Rihanna, and Kendrick Lamar. With Bad Bunny stepping into the spotlight, the league continues to embrace diverse voices on its biggest stage.
