The Seattle Seahawks dominated Super Bowl LX, defeating the New England Patriots 29 to 13. However, the halftime show featuring Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, fresh off three Grammy wins including Best Album for Debi Tirar Mas Fotos, arguably stole the show. Bad Bunny brought his ‘casita rosa’ to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California and delivered a message of unity: “Assieme siamo l’America, l’unica cosa più potente dell’odio è l’amore.”
Former President Donald Trump voiced strong disapproval, stating on Truth Social that the performance was “the worst halftime show in history, a slap in the face to America.” He criticized the language and dancing, deeming it “disgusting, especially for children.” Trump reportedly watched the game from Mar-a-Lago after choosing to skip the Super Bowl due to its location on the West Coast and the NFL’s decision to feature an artist who sings exclusively in Spanish.
Bad Bunny’s halftime show recreated a village atmosphere featuring stars like Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Cardi B, Pedro Pascal, and Jessica Alba, alongside everyday people, a Los Angeles taqueria, and a social club from Brooklyn. He also gifted a young boy with a Grammy award, evoking memories of Liam Ramos, a child recently deported from Minnesota to Texas.
Dressed in a Zara-designed suit, Bad Bunny concluded the halftime show by listing the nations of North and South America, finishing with “God Bless America.” This performance signaled the NFL’s interest in expanding its audience beyond the United States, though it drew criticism from Trump, and conservatives. Concerns were also raised regarding potential ICE presence at the stadium, as Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem had previously announced plans for patrols.
Adding to the evening’s political undertones, the band Green Day challenged television censorship during the pre-game show. Performing a medley from their album American Idiot, they omitted the phrase “the subliminal mind-fuck America” from their song, with NBC reportedly distorting the audio to further obscure the lyric. At a pre-game party in San Francisco, Green Day altered the lyrics of their song “Holiday” to target Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump, singing “The representative of Epstein’s Island now has the floor.” They also criticized ICE agents, telling them to “stop that shitty job.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Super Bowl LX?
The Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29 to 13.
What did Donald Trump say about Bad Bunny’s halftime show?
Donald Trump called it “the worst halftime show in history, a slap in the face to America,” criticizing the language and dancing.
What did Green Day do during the pre-game show?
Green Day performed a medley of songs from their album American Idiot, omitting a controversial lyric and altering another song to reference Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump.
As the NFL continues to navigate a changing cultural landscape, how might future Super Bowl halftime shows reflect – or challenge – prevailing social and political sentiments?
