President Trump Slams Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Booking

Donald Trump stirred controversy again — this time over music. Upon hearing that Bad Bunny would headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show, he responded bluntly: “I’ve never heard of him … it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

His dismissal sparked backlash from fans, media, and the Latin music community.

A Clash of Cultures and Expectations

Bad Bunny isn’t exactly an underground artist. He’s one of the biggest global Latin music stars, known for pushing genre boundaries and singing largely in Spanish. Yet Trump claimed ignorance. He questioned the NFL’s decision and denounced it as “crazy” — all while seeming unaware of the artist’s massive influence.

That disconnect points to more than just music taste. It underscores how language, cultural channels, and evolving entertainment landscapes often shape who is “known” in different spheres.

Bad Bunny Responds: Pride and Punchlines

Bad Bunny didn’t let Trump’s comment slide. During his appearance on Saturday Night Live, he humorously told critics they had four months to learn Spanish before his performance. His rhetoric emphasized not just his art, but his cultural identity — a mix of celebration and defiance.

He also addressed concerns about performing in the U.S., citing fears over ICE presence and targeting of Latino audiences. He has at times opted to skip U.S. tour dates out of concern for such dynamics.

Why This Moment Resonates

This exchange isn’t just celebrity drama. It taps into deeper tensions:

• Cultural exclusion: Dismissing an artist whose work doesn’t cater to Anglophone media channels can deepen divides in what’s considered “mainstream.”
• Latino representation: Bad Bunny becoming the first male Latin artist to headline a Super Bowl halftime show marks a milestone — and hearing his name dismissed feels symbolic of larger erasures.
• Politics and identity: Trump’s disdain feeds into broader debates over language, immigration, and who’s counted in American acceptance.

What’s Ahead

Expect the backlash to persist. More voices from the Latin music world, media commentators, and fans will likely weigh in, defending Bad Bunny’s credentials, impact, and identity.

For Trump’s part, this moment may backfire: trying to discredit a major cultural force might only bring more attention to it. And for Bad Bunny, the moment is already doubling as a political statement and a spotlighted performance — no small feat.

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