The appointment of Bad Bunny as headliner for the Super Bowl 2026 halftime show has sparked a fierce reaction from conservative sectors of the U.S. government.
Among the most vocal is Corey Lewandowski, advisor to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and former campaign manager for Donald Trump in 2016, who has issued a direct warning: ICE agents will be present at the event "to detain and deport" undocumented migrants.
"There is no refuge. Not in the Super Bowl nor anywhere else."
During his appearance on the ultraconservative podcast The Benny Show, Lewandowski was emphatic in stating that the most-watched sporting event in the country will not be an exception to the strict enforcement of Trump's immigration policies.
“There is no place in this country that provides a safe refuge for people who are here illegally. Neither at the Super Bowl nor anywhere else,” she stated emphatically.
And it went further: “We will find them. We will stop them. We will send them to a detention center and deport them. So keep in mind that this is a very real situation under this Administration.”
More than a warning, it is a veiled threat directed at the Latino and immigrant audience that may attend the show.
Against Bad Bunny: "A shame" that he represents the United States
The target of their criticism was Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio.
The Puerto Rican artist, who already performed at Super Bowl 2020 alongside Shakira and Jennifer López, will return in 2026 as the headliner.
For Lewandowski, this is unacceptable: “It’s a disgrace that they have chosen someone who seems to hate the United States so much to represent them during the halftime of the game.”
The advisor spared no effort in dismissing the singer, and extended his criticism to the NFL itself, which he accused of being “so ‘woke’ for years.”
The musical selection as a battlefield of ideology
Lewandowski insisted that the choice of Bad Bunny “is so shameful” because he believes “there are so many great bands and people from the entertainment world who could be performing at that event, bringing people together instead of dividing them.”
According to him, "we should strive to be inclusive and not exclusive."
The DHS advisor defended that the immigration policy will be enforced without exceptions, even in events of this magnitude: "We will enforce the law everywhere. We will ensure the safety of Americans. That is the president's directive."
And he closed with a message aimed at those living without papers: “If you are in this country illegally, do yourself a favor: go home.”
The fear of ICE: a concern that dates back further
Lewandowski's statements were in response to comments from YouTuber Benny Johnson, who claimed that Bad Bunny was hired for the Super Bowl “despite the fact that he refuses to tour in the U.S. because he is very afraid of ICE.”
Johnson described the artist as "a drag queen who hates the United States and ICE"; and added: "He's Puerto Rican, supported Kamala Harris, and doesn't sing in English."
Bad Bunny has been transparent about his decision to exclude the United States from his world tour.
In a recent interview, he explained: “There was the problem that ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it's something we were talking about and very worried about.”
That concern, he said, is not related to hatred towards the United States, but rather with the safety of his audience.
“There have been many reasons why I haven't performed in the United States, and none of them have been out of hatred,” he stated in an interview with i-D.
"All the shows have been a success. I've enjoyed connecting with Latinos living in the United States. But specifically, for a residency here in Puerto Rico, since we are an unincorporated territory of the United States... People from the United States could come here to see the show. But there was the problem that, damn, ICE could be out there. And that worried us a lot," said the Puerto Rican singer.
Celebration from the stage and rejection from power
The artist himself celebrated his participation in the Super Bowl with a message directed to his community: “This is for those who came before me and ran countless yards so that I could step in and score a touchdown. This is for my people, my culture, and our history. Go and tell your grandma that we will be the HALFTIME SHOW OF THE SUPER BOWL.”
However, from the government apparatus, that narrative has been dismissed.
Lewandowski stated that he doesn't care "if it's a concert by Johnny Smith, Bad Bunny, or anyone else," because they are "going to enforce the law everywhere."
For him, the fact that Bad Bunny is a U.S. citizen because he is Puerto Rican is not enough to be accepted as a representative figure.
"It’s a fraud," Johnson stated, reinforcing the idea that the artist does not deserve that platform.
Trumpism, culture, and deportation
Bad Bunny's choice has not only raised alarms in the government but has also highlighted a broader cultural battle.
The rejection of the show being in Spanish, the criticism of their clothing or makeup in other performances, and their political activism have sparked a media storm driven by figures from the MAGA movement and conservative platforms.
Lewandowski made it clear that for the Trump administration, there will be no ceasefires, not even during the Super Bowl on February 8, 2026, in New Orleans.
"That is a very real situation under this Administration," he said about the operation of ICE.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Controversial Choice of Bad Bunny for Super Bowl 2026
Why has Bad Bunny been chosen for the halftime show of Super Bowl 2026?
Bad Bunny has been chosen as the main artist for the halftime show of Super Bowl 2026 due to his immense popularity and cultural impact as a representative of reggaeton worldwide. He is the first solo Latin artist to headline this event, marking a milestone in his career and in the representation of the Latin community in the United States.
What controversy has the selection of Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl generated?
The selection of Bad Bunny has sparked criticism from conservative sectors of the U.S. government, particularly from Corey Lewandowski, advisor to the Department of Homeland Security. Lewandowski has announced the presence of ICE agents at the event to detain undocumented migrants, which has been viewed as a veiled threat towards the Latino audience attending the show.
Why doesn't Bad Bunny go on tour in the United States?
Bad Bunny has decided not to tour in the United States due to fears that ICE operations could turn his concerts into a target for raids against undocumented immigrants. The artist has expressed his concern for the safety of his audience, many of whom are undocumented Latinos, and has been transparent about his decision to avoid performances in the country for this reason.
What is Bad Bunny's stance on the immigration policies of the United States?
Bad Bunny has been critical of the immigration policies of the United States, especially those implemented under the Trump administration. In his music and public statements, he has defended Latino immigrants and criticized the actions of ICE, using his platform to highlight the importance of the Latino community and denounce the injustice of mass deportations.
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