Former President lashes out at Spanish-language halftime show as reggaeton star celebrates Grammy win and cultural heritage.
A cultural clash emerged following Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show, with U.S. President Donald Trump disparaging headliner Bad Bunny’s performance on social media. “Nobody understands a word this guy says,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, reacting to the artist’s decision to perform his entire 14-minute set in Spanish.
The criticism contrasts sharply with the artist’s current industry standing. Last week, Bad Bunny made history by winning the Grammy for Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, an all-Spanish record. His Super Bowl set featured high-profile support, including vocals from Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga, and appearances by Cardi B and Pedro Pascal.
Visualizing the Struggle
The show was laden with symbolism specific to the Puerto Rican experience. Amidst hits like “Tití Me Preguntó” and “Baile Inolvidable,” the stage production referenced the island’s agricultural past and its current infrastructure crises. The performance of “El Apagón” specifically targeted the territory’s unstable power grid.
Experts suggest that Bad Bunny’s refusal to assimilate linguistically is a deliberate artistic choice. By elevating Puerto Rican slang and rhythms like bomba and plena to the world’s biggest stage, he challenges the music industry’s traditional demand for English crossover hits.
SOURCES: Truth Social, The Recording Academy, BBC News.
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