MAGA Supporters Join Trump in Criticizing Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Performance
The online reaction to Bad Bunny's Super Bowl LX halftime show on Sunday extended far beyond former President Donald Trump's well-publicized meltdown. A significant contingent of his MAGA faithful also took to various social media platforms to express their displeasure with Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio's vibrant and inclusive performance. A common thread among the criticism was the prominent use of the Spanish language during the spectacle, which is traditionally an English-dominated event.
Social Media Erupts with Demands for Subtitles and ICE References
The backlash was swift and multifaceted. Numerous commentators called for the inclusion of English subtitles, questioning why the performance was not delivered in a language they deemed appropriate for an American sporting event. The criticism took a more extreme turn with some users making references to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). One post explicitly asked if the show was "a halftime show or an ad for ICE," while another demanded "an ICE raid" be called on the event. This rhetoric underscores the politicized nature of the response, intertwining cultural commentary with immigration politics.
Prominent conservative voices amplified the discontent. Fox News host Laura Ingraham labeled it the "worst half-time show ever," a sentiment echoed by actor Kevin Sorbo. This pattern of criticism is not entirely new; similar outrage was directed at Kendrick Lamar's performance the previous year, suggesting a recurring tension between the NFL's artistic choices and certain segments of its audience.
A Sampling of the Online Outcry
The social media discourse revealed several key themes of the backlash:
- Language and National Identity: Comments from figures like Megyn Kelly, who stated a preference for shows "in English from ppl who love America," and Sage Steele, who wistfully suggested English subtitles, highlighted a perceived conflict between the performance and American identity.
- Political Allegations: Some critics framed the show as a political statement. Alex Bruesewitz argued that "America haters should not be in charge of selecting halftime performers," while Clay Travis suggested left-wing support was disingenuous.
- Cultural Critique: Beyond language, the display of various national flags and the performance's aesthetic drew fire. Matt Walsh called it "the biggest fuck you" to NFL consumers, and Joe Lonsdale criticized the "oversexualized lowbrow stuff," though he acknowledged Hispanic contributions to the U.S.
- Exaggerated Reactions: The commentary included hyperbolic claims, such as Alex Berenson's assertion that "support for ICE just went up 20 points" following the show.
This collective online reaction illustrates a significant cultural and political divide, transforming a musical performance into a flashpoint for debates over language, immigration, and national symbolism in one of the nation's most-watched television events.
