As the federal government remains partially closed, House Speaker Mike Johnson used a brief exchange with reporters on Oct. 7, 2025 to criticize the NFL’s selection of Bad Bunny as next year’s Super Bowl halftime performer. Calling the choice a “terrible decision,” Johnson added that he “didn’t even know who Bad Bunny was” when asked about the booking.

That dismissal clashes with Bad Bunny’s credentials as one of the world’s largest pop acts. Benito — who has the distinction of being the first Latin artist to amass 100 Billboard Hot 100 entries and the first to top the Billboard 200 with an all-Spanish album (2020’s El Último Tour del Mundo) — has also tied Taylor Swift for the most solo No. 1s on the Billboard Global 200. His 2022 record Un Verano Sin Ti remains one of Spotify’s most-streamed albums, and he has routinely ranked among the platform’s most-streamed global artists in recent years.

The performer’s commercial milestones extend to live shows: his 31-date No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí residency at Puerto Rico’s Coliseo shattered venue sales records, and the livestream of the residency finale became the most-watched live event in Amazon Music’s history.

Johnson characterized the Super Bowl audience as broad and impressionable — particularly mentioning children — and suggested that a more “unifying” choice would be a traditional, family-friendly figure such as country singer Lee Greenwood, saying the Halftime Show should feature a “role model” rather than “somebody like this.”

Greenwood, known for the 1984 anthem “God Bless the U.S.A.,” remains a favorite among conservative circles. The 1980s country star, who performed at the 2024 Republican National Convention, also appeared at the Sept. 21 memorial for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

The reaction from conservative commentators has echoed Johnson’s remarks. Former President Donald Trump likewise told reporters he was unfamiliar with Bad Bunny and criticized the halftime selection, even misnaming the artist as “Bad Bunny Rabbit.” Trump and others have directed part of their ire at Roc Nation and Jay-Z, who helped shape the entertainment lineup.

Voices on the right have also criticized Bad Bunny for singing predominantly in Spanish. The artist addressed that topic with levity while hosting Saturday Night Live, noting the cultural significance of representing his community and quipping to viewers, “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn!”

Some commentators have gone further, questioning Bad Bunny’s patriotism after the artist publicly criticized past ICE actions in Puerto Rico. Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski called the halftime pick “shameful” and suggested the singer “seems to hate America,” language that overlooks Puerto Rico’s status as a U.S. territory. Lewandowski also warned that ICE would be present at the Super Bowl in Santa Clara on Feb. 8, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem later affirmed that immigration agents would be “all over” the event. Read more.

Bad Bunny’s high-profile visibility — from streaming dominance to major television appearances — makes him an undeniable force in contemporary music. That reality, and the polarizing reaction it has provoked, underscores how cultural events like the Super Bowl halftime show often become flashpoints for broader political debates.

For more coverage, see Bad Bunny’s artist page on Billboard: Bad Bunny — Billboard.

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