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The Republican congressman from Florida, Randy Fine, requested a federal investigation against NBC Universal and the NFL for the performance of Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny during the halftime show of the Super Bowl, arguing that the content was “dangerous” and “offensive.”
According to statements made to U.S. media, as quoted by the New York Post, Fine requested that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) investigate how the broadcast of what he described as “indecent material” was allowed during an event watched by over 130 million people, including children.
"What Americans witnessed during the halftime show was despicable and should never be allowed to be shown on television again," stated the lawmaker.
Accusations for references to drugs and explicit language
Fine accused the artist —whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio— of including references that, according to him, allude to cocaine use, citing phrases like “The perico is white” and “The tusi is pink.”
He also questioned the use of explicit language and lyrics that he found sexually suggestive, particularly during the performance of the song "Safaera."
The congressman stated that the fact that the presentation was in Spanish does not exempt it from compliance with FCC regulations, which restrict obscene, indecent, or profane content on broadcast television between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
"In the United States, our laws are not suggestions, and no matter what language you speak, you must abide by them," Fine wrote in a letter addressed to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.
Possible sanctions
The legislator indicated that if an investigation concludes that the NFL and NBC deliberately allowed the transmission of the content, the network could face fines and even the revocation of its broadcasting license.
"Parents should not be forced to expose their children to sexually explicit language, glorification of drugs, and vulgar content during a national event promoted as family-friendly," he added.
Political reactions
Bad Bunny's performance, entirely in Spanish and featuring a high-impact visual presentation, sparked immediate reactions from conservative sectors. President Donald Trump and other Republican figures criticized the show, deeming it inappropriate and questioning the choice to perform exclusively in Spanish.
So far, neither the NFL nor NBC Universal has issued an official response regarding the request for investigation.
The debate reopens the discussion on the limits of artistic content in mass events broadcast during prime time and the role of federal regulations in overseeing television programming.
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