“Nobody Understands a Word”: Trump Blasts Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance

Donald Trump has once again turned a pop culture moment into a political flashpoint — this time by blasting Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl 2026 halftime show.

The president took to Truth Social late Sunday night after the game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, unloading a furious critique of the Puerto Rican superstar’s performance.

“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER!” Trump wrote. He claimed the show “makes no sense” and called it “an affront to the Greatness of America,” arguing it failed to represent “our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence.”

Trump went on to complain that Bad Bunny performed entirely in Spanish, saying, “Nobody understands a word this guy is saying,” and described the dancing as “disgusting,” especially for children watching at home. (Puerto Ricans, including Bad Bunny, are U.S. citizens, as Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory.)

Bad Bunny’s high-energy set featured a run of his biggest hits and included surprise appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, drawing loud reactions from the crowd inside the stadium and strong engagement online.

Mid-rant, Trump abruptly pivoted to the economy, claiming the show was a “slap in the face” to a country he said was setting records with “the Best Stock Market and 401(k)s in History.” He ended his post by repeating a familiar gripe, urging the NFL to “immediately replace its ridiculous new Kickoff Rule.”

This wasn’t Trump’s first attack on Bad Bunny. Back in October, he criticized the NFL’s decision to book the artist during an appearance on NewsMax’s Greg Kelly Reports, insisting, “I’ve never heard of him,” and calling the choice “absolutely ridiculous.” He also appeared to take a shot at the league’s halftime show partner, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, which selects the performers.

Trump made history as the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl in 2025, but skipped this year’s game, telling The New York Post it was “too far away.” Even then, he still found time to criticize the entertainment, slamming both Bad Bunny and Green Day, who performed during the opening ceremony. “I’m anti-them,” Trump said. “All it does is sow hatred.”

The Super Bowl isn’t the only awards-stage Trump has targeted lately. Earlier this month, he ripped into the Grammy Awards, calling the show “virtually unwatchable” and attacking host Trevor Noah. Trump was especially angry about a joke referencing his alleged connection to Jeffrey Epstein, which Noah made after Billie Eilish won Song of the Year.

Trump strongly denied the claim and threatened legal action against Noah, calling the joke “false and defamatory” and promising to “send my lawyers.”

Bad Bunny’s halftime booking sparked intense backlash in conservative circles, with right-wing group Turning Point USA launching a competing “All-American Halftime Show.” The counter-event featured Kid Rock, alongside country artists Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, and was promoted as a celebration of “faith, family and freedom.” Promotional material even asked viewers which genres they wanted — including an option labeled “Anything in English,” a not-so-subtle jab at Bad Bunny’s Spanish-language music.

Despite the outrage from Trump and conservative groups, Bad Bunny’s halftime performance dominated conversation across social media, underscoring how the Super Bowl stage continues to reflect — and inflame — America’s cultural and political divides.