Bad Bunny Faces Celebrity Criticism Over Super Bowl 2026 Halftime Show

Something about Sunday night's Super Bowl LX halftime show didn't just get people talking; it split the room. The reactions came fast, loud, and from places no one quite expected.

At first glance, the spectacle performed by Benito Antonio Matinez Ocasio, also known as Bad Bunny, looked like another high-budget, star-packed NFL moment. The lights, the choreography, the surprise cameo, all the usual ingredients were there.

But as viewers kept watching, and then rewatching, a deeper debate started bubbling beneath the surface. And soon, celebrities themselves were jumping into the conversation.

The halftime performance, led by Bad Bunny, leaned unapologetically into his roots. Spanish lyrics, Latin rhythms, and a visual aesthetic centered on Puerto Rican culture filled the stadium.

For many fans, it felt bold, celebratory, and overdue. For others, it raised questions and eventually criticism.

A Call to Look Away Instead of Lean In

The loudest early backlash came from an unexpected corner. Jake Paul took to X on February 8, 2026, calling for viewers to boycott the halftime show entirely.

"Purposefully turning off the halftime show. Let's rally together and show big corporations they can't just do whatever they want without consequences (which equals viewership for them). You are their benefit," he said.

"Realize you have power. Turn off this halftime. A fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America. I cannot support that," he added. The post instantly sparked its own backlash. The reaction grew so intense that he followed up the next day to clarify his remarks.

Jake Clarifies As Family Drew the Line

In a February 9 post, he said he was not referring to Puerto Rico or Puerto Ricans and emphasized his personal connection to the island.

He explained that his criticism stemmed from what he viewed as public criticism of ICE and disrespect toward the United States.

Still, the damage and the debate were already in motion. Even Jake's brother stepped in.

Jake's brother, Logan Paul, publicly distanced himself from the take, expressing pride in Puerto Rican representation and celebrating the opportunity to showcase talent from the island.

A Different Kind of Shade

As the debate raged online, another superstar added fuel, albeit more subtly. Chris Brown reportedly posted a cryptic Instagram Story shortly after the show, writing, "I THINK ITS SAFE TO SAY.. THEY NEED ME !"

The message, reported by XXL Magazine and WorldStar Hip Hop, was widely interpreted as a not-so-humble suggestion that the NFL missed an opportunity.

Reality TV soon entered the chat.

Reality TV Voices Get Very Real

In a video shared by the host of "Gabbing with Gib," Jill Zarin did not hold back. Her critique touched on language, choreography, and what she perceived as political messaging.

"It was the worst halftime show ever. I just don't think it was appropriate to have it in Spanish and, quite frankly, grabbing his G-area," Jill said.

She continued, "I think it was totally inappropriate. You got all these young kids watching the Super Bowl, and he doesn't have to be grabbing himself every five seconds. Is he so insecure?"

Jill also suggested the performance felt political, adding, "I don't speak Spanish. I would've liked to have known the words he was saying. To me, it looked like a political statement because there were literally no white people in the entire thing. I think it was a political statement. I think the NFL sold out, and it's a very sad thing."

Even Lady Gaga's surprise cameo didn't escape criticism. "And Lady Gaga got a facelift. I didn’t recognize her. I literally had to Google her face to figure out who it was. We all couldn't agree who it was, so that was kind of fun in the middle of halftime. At least it gave me something to do because it was so hard to watch," Jill said.

Fans Start Calling Out the Callouts

Meanwhile, fans were also calling out Taylor Armstrong after screenshots of her Instagram Story circulated online. One post read, " [sic] taylor armstrong… girl… what?"

Another account reposted the image, adding, "So Jill Zarin and now Taylor Armstrong? Good Riddance."

A third account accused Taylor of promoting discriminatory rhetoric, intensifying calls for accountability.

A Critique That Tried to Bridge the Gap

Perhaps the most nuanced critique came from Steven Van Zandt. While praising the production and Bad Bunny's success, he argued that one creative choice missed the mark.

"I not only love Latin music, I MAKE Latin music… but I'm sorry, no subtitles was a bad decision and an insult to the audience," he reportedly wrote, suggesting subtitles could have helped unify viewers rather than divide them.

In a separate post, Steven reportedly added, "Expanding to the Latino audience is one thing. Doing a show EXCLUSIVELY for the Latino audience? They're gonna hear about this one."

And that's where the real intrigue finally lands. What began as a halftime performance has evolved into a larger cultural conversation about representation, language, patriotism, and who the Super Bowl is really for.

Whether praised or criticized, one thing is undeniable: Bad Bunny didn't just perform; he forced America to talk.

As celebrity reactions continued to pile up and the cultural debate around the halftime show intensified, the conversation took a sharper political turn when President Donald Trump stepped in, amplifying the backlash with a response that quickly overshadowed many of the earlier critiques.

Trump Shares Post-Game Criticism

Shortly after the halftime show aired, Trump published a statement on Truth Social describing his reaction to the performance.

"The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER!" Trump wrote. "It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn't represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence."

He also criticized the language and choreography, adding, "Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World." Trump described the show as "just a 'slap in the face' to our Country," saying there was "nothing inspirational" about it.

Media and NFL Also Targeted

In the same post, Trump predicted that coverage of the performance would still be positive. He claimed it would "get great reviews from the Fake News Media," adding that they "haven't got a clue of what is going on in the REAL WORLD."

He also included criticism unrelated to the halftime show, writing that the NFL should "immediately replace its ridiculous new Kickoff Rule." The post ended with "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" followed by his signature.

Trump Had Addressed the Halftime Show Earlier

Trump's comments followed remarks he made weeks earlier about the Super Bowl and its performers. In a January 24, 2026, interview with the New York Post, he said he planned to skip the game entirely.

During the Oval Office interview, Trump specifically criticized the selection of Bad Bunny and Green Day, noting that both acts have been outspoken critics of him. "I'm anti-them. I think it's a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible," Trump said, according to the New York Post.

Trump's post-Super Bowl comments closely aligned with his earlier statements, expanding on concerns he had already raised before the event.

His reaction added to the ongoing discussion surrounding the halftime show, placing his views alongside broader public debate about the performance and the NFL's entertainment choices.

In the end, Sunday night's Super Bowl LX halftime show became far more than a musical interlude. It turned into a cultural discussion, revealing deep divides over language, identity, patriotism, and who gets to define the American mainstream.

For some, Bad Bunny's performance was a long-overdue celebration of Latino culture on the biggest stage in sports. For others, it symbolized discomfort with change, amplified by celebrity voices and political power weighing in from every angle.