Super Bowl LX's halftime show, featuring Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, has ignited a firestorm of criticism, drawing over 2,300 complaints to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) — a record for recent years. The February game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, broadcast on NBC, saw the 32-year-old rapper perform a medley of his hits in Spanish, a decision that sparked backlash from President Trump and some conservative viewers.
The FCC records, obtained by The Hill via a Freedom of Information Act request, show complaints primarily targeting Bad Bunny's set, which highlighted Latin culture across the Americas. While the performance largely avoided overt political messaging, viewers expressed outrage over its language and content. One Arlington, Texas, viewer wrote, 'What an absolute disgrace to America and American families! I'm honestly glad my kids couldn't understand what the lyrics were to Bad Bunny s—show.' A Dawsonville, Georgia, fan complained, 'I felt discriminated against in my own country, our national sports games should not have artist[s] that can't speak English.'
Other complaints echoed similar themes. A Huntington, New York, viewer stated, 'The halftime show, in a foreign language, nonetheless, was the most vulgar thing that I was ever subjected to at a football game. I have heard the translations of what this clown said it was vulgar, indecent, and literally against broadcast rules.' A Dover, Delaware, audience member added, 'The halftime show was disgusting and vulgar!!! Not only was he singing Spanish music that had disgusting lyrics depicting sexual/lewd acts, but there were also lewd acts being shown on air,' calling it 'an absolute disgrace.'
President Trump, who had criticized the selection of Bad Bunny when it was announced last October, took to social media to denounce the performance as 'absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER!' and 'an affront to the Greatness of America.' The rapper, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration, previously stating he would avoid performing in the mainland U.S. due to concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence at his concerts.
Despite the controversy, the Super Bowl drew an average audience of over 124 million viewers, the second-highest in history, with viewership peaking during Bad Bunny's set. This contrasts sharply with recent halftime shows: Kendrick Lamar's performance last year elicited just 125 FCC complaints, and Rihanna's 2023 show drew 102. The surge in complaints underscores a growing cultural and political divide over entertainment choices in major events.
The FCC complaints, which do not include personal identifying information, highlight tensions around language and cultural representation in national broadcasts. The backlash also echoes broader political battles, such as those seen in Ocasio-Cortez's dismissal of GOP redistricting complaints and ongoing debates over diversity in public platforms.
As the NFL and broadcasters navigate these controversies, the Bad Bunny halftime show serves as a flashpoint for discussions about inclusivity and censorship. The record number of complaints may prompt further scrutiny of future Super Bowl performances, especially as political figures like Trump continue to weigh in on cultural matters.
