California Claps Back at MAGA With Official Bad Bunny Holiday

California Governor Gavin Newsom spent Saturday doing what he arguably does best: trolling Donald Trump—this time by turning the Super Bowl into a full-blown cultural statement.

With right-wing figures warning about ICE agents, MAGA influencers urging viewers to change the channel, and conservatives melting down over an all-Spanish-language halftime show, Newsom announced that February 8 is officially “Bad Bunny Day” in California. Yes, officially. And yes, very intentionally.

The proclamation came just one day before global superstar Bad Bunny headlines the Super Bowl LX halftime show in Santa Clara, becoming one of the few artists to ever perform the event entirely in Spanish.

“I am declaring tomorrow in California as ‘Bad Bunny Day,’” Newsom’s press office posted in a deliberately Trump-style, all-caps message, praising the singer’s “soothing, beautiful voice” and “very nice looks.” The exaggerated tone wasn’t subtle—and that was the point.

Beyond the trolling, the day is real. February 8 is now formally recognized in California, a symbolic counterpunch to conservative backlash surrounding the halftime performance.

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has made clear this Super Bowl appearance may be his only U.S. show of the year. The Puerto Rican artist and outspoken immigration-rights advocate said he doesn’t want fans facing harassment or worse amid heightened political rhetoric.

He also left zero doubt about where he stands politically. At last weekend’s Grammys, Bunny delivered a sharp rebuke aimed at immigration enforcement abuses:
“ICE out! We’re not animals, we’re not aliens—we are humans, and we are Americans.”

Trump, who previously called Bad Bunny’s selection “ridiculous,” won’t be attending the game despite his friendship with Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Officially, it’s about travel distance. Unofficially, it might also be about the boos he’d likely hear on live television. He says he’ll watch from home.

Newsom, meanwhile, plans to be in the stands at Levi’s Stadium, leaning into the moment during his final year as governor—and perhaps laying groundwork for bigger ambitions ahead.

The cultural divide around the halftime show has even spawned a rival event. Conservative group Turning Point USA, founded by Charlie Kirk, is promoting an “All-American Halftime Show” airing online at the same time. It’s a far lower-profile production, but it gave Newsom another opening to jab at Trump ally Kid Rock, whose politically branded “Rock the Country” festival has already seen multiple dates canceled after artists pulled out.

Despite rumors, Kid Rock is not actually banned from California—though Newsom has mocked him more than once.

Bad Bunny, for his part, says the halftime show will be exactly what fans expect from him: joy, culture, and celebration.
“It’s gonna be a huge party,” he said. “I want to bring a lot from my culture.”

The NFL seems fully on board. Since 2023, the halftime show has been sponsored by Apple Music, with performers selected by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. Expanding Latino representation has been a clear priority, and Bad Bunny—one of the most streamed artists on Earth—fits that strategy perfectly.

Super Bowl LX kicks off Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT. The game airs on NBC, streams on Peacock, and will also be broadcast in Spanish on Telemundo and Universo.

And in California, at least, it won’t just be Super Bowl Sunday.
It’ll be Bad Bunny Day.