Piers Morgan Clashes with Donald Trump Over Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Performance
In a notable public disagreement, British television host Piers Morgan has come to the defense of Latin pop superstar Bad Bunny following sharp criticism from President Donald Trump regarding the artist's Super Bowl LX halftime show. The exchange unfolded on social media platforms, highlighting a rift between the two figures over cultural and artistic expression.
Morgan's Public Defense on Social Media
On Monday, Piers Morgan took to X to respond directly to a post by Trump on Truth Social, where the president had lambasted Bad Bunny's performance. "Couldn't disagree more, Mr. President. I absolutely loved Bad Bunny's halftime show," Morgan wrote, sharing a screenshot of Trump's critique. He elaborated with praise, stating, "Amazing (best in Super Bowl history?) theatre/choreography, great energy, superbly confident performance, and a very welcome unifying message."
Morgan further emphasized the cultural significance by noting, "Oh, and Spanish is 1st language for 50m+ Americans!" This remark underscores the demographic relevance of Bad Bunny's Spanish-language performance in the United States. In a follow-up post, Morgan clarified that he remains "friends with Donald Trump," but added, "I just disagree with him about a lot of things (and agree about others)."
Trump's Harsh Critique of the Performance
President Trump had expressed his disapproval late Sunday on Truth Social, calling Bad Bunny's halftime show "absolutely terrible" and "one of the worst, EVER!" He argued that it "makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn't represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence." Trump also criticized the linguistic and visual aspects, stating, "Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World."
This dismissal aligns with Trump's history of targeting Bad Bunny, a six-time Grammy winner from Puerto Rico who has been an outspoken critic of Trump's immigration policies. Last year, Bad Bunny faced conservative ridicule after confirming he would skip U.S. venues on his "Debí Tirar Más Fotos Tour" over concerns that fans might be targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Broader Political and Cultural Context
The controversy extends beyond the personal exchange between Morgan and Trump. Right-wing political group Turning Point USA, founded by activist Charlie Kirk, organized an alternative "All-American Halftime Show" in response to the NFL's choice of Bad Bunny as the 2026 headliner. This MAGA-themed event, held on Sunday, featured a performance by Kid Rock that was widely criticized and accused of lip-syncing.
Despite their current disagreement, Morgan and Trump have a long-standing association, dating back to 2008 when Morgan won "The Celebrity Apprentice." Morgan has occasionally expressed views at odds with Trump, such as criticizing the January 6 insurrection in 2021, but he continues to engage with far-right figures on his show, "Piers Morgan Uncensored." Recently, he interviewed filmmaker Brett Ratner about the documentary "Melania," focusing on First Lady Melania Trump.
This episode highlights ongoing debates over cultural representation, language, and politics in major American events like the Super Bowl, reflecting broader societal divisions.
