Trump Slams Super Bowl Halftime Show as “Affront to America’s Greatness”
Former US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing critique of the recent Super Bowl halftime performance, branding it “absolutely terrible” and “an affront to the greatness of America.” The strong condemnation was directed at Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, who recently made history as the first Latin artist to win Best Album at the Grammy Awards. Trump’s ire was ignited after Bad Bunny used his platform to subtly address the former president’s stringent immigration policies.
“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence,” Trump declared on his social media platform, Truth Social, following the highly anticipated performance.
He further elaborated on his discontent, 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.” Trump viewed the show as a direct insult to the nation, which he claimed is continuously setting new benchmarks. “This ‘Show’ is just a ‘slap in the face’ to our Country, which is setting new standards and records every single day – including the Best Stock Market and 401(k)s in History!” he asserted. He concluded his remarks by predicting that despite his negative assessment, the performance would receive positive reviews from what he termed the “Fake News Media,” whom he accused of being out of touch with the “REAL WORLD.”
This public outcry from Trump follows a trend of artists using major platforms to voice their opposition to his policies. Just a week prior to the Super Bowl, several stars at the Grammy Awards leveraged their acceptance speeches and red-carpet appearances to protest against Trump’s political agenda.
During his Grammy acceptance speech, Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, explicitly called for the dissolution of ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement). “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ICE out,” he proclaimed. The 31-year-old singer added a powerful statement of solidarity: “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, we’re humans and we are Americans.”
This was not the first time Trump had expressed his disapproval of the Super Bowl’s entertainment choices. In January, he had also criticised the headline acts for the year’s game, which included American punk band Green Day, and announced his intention not to attend the event. “I’m anti-them. I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible,” Trump had told the New York Post at the time.
The Super Bowl itself, held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, featured Bad Bunny sharing the stage with a constellation of stars in a vibrant celebration of his Puerto Rican heritage. The performance kicked off with evocative imagery of dominoes and sugar cane fields, set to the backdrop of his hit single from 2022, “Tití Me Preguntó.”
The show saw a series of high-profile guest appearances. Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga joined Bad Bunny, with Gaga delivering a spirited salsa rendition of her collaboration with Bruno Mars, “Die with a Smile.” Other notable celebrities gracing the stage included actress Jessica Alba, rapper Cardi B, and social media influencer Alix Earle.
A particularly poignant moment occurred when the stage transformed into an altar, hosting a genuine wedding ceremony as Bad Bunny performed behind the newlywed couple. Officials later confirmed that the couple had initially invited Bad Bunny to their wedding, but he proposed they instead become part of his halftime spectacle.
During his performance of “Apagon,” a song that seemingly referenced the widespread power outages experienced in his homeland following Hurricane Maria, Bad Bunny ascended powerlines and defiantly waved the Puerto Rican flag. He was accompanied by backup dancers who proudly displayed the flags of various Latin American countries, as well as those of the United States and Canada. As these flags were paraded, the rapper recited the names of the nations, holding a football inscribed with the unifying phrase, “Together We Are America.” The electrifying performance concluded with a dazzling display of fireworks, a colossal Puerto Rican flag, and a Jumbotron message that resonated with a powerful sentiment: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
The main football contest saw the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks clash in a highly anticipated rematch of the 2015 Super Bowl, with the Seahawks emerging victorious with a score of 29-13. Prior to the halftime show, Green Day delivered an energetic opening ceremony, and pop star Charlie Puth was tasked with performing the US national anthem.
Historically, Super Bowl halftime shows have featured legendary performers such as Prince, Sir Paul McCartney, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Coldplay, and most recently, Kendrick Lamar. These artists have typically presented a medley of their most popular hits, often surprising the audience with guest appearances from fellow musicians.
