Bad Bunny Defends the Latin Community and His Super Bowl Performance on SNL: What He Said, Translated

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Only four months remain until Bad Bunny takes the stage in front of millions during the biggest sports and music event in the United States—the Super Bowl halftime show. The Puerto Rican superstar has made it clear he will continue to champion the power and presence of the Latin community in a country where anti-immigrant sentiment has taken root in some political circles.

His appearance on Saturday Night Live in early October showed he’s not backing down. Bad Bunny kicked off his monologue by recalling his historic residency in Puerto Rico, joking about some viral moments—from his “knee incident” paired with a funny dance on stage to the celebrities who came to see him. It wasn’t long before he brought up the week’s most talked-about topic: him headlining the Super Bowl.

Bad Bunny Slams Critics, Champions Latinos on SNL After Super Bowl Announce

«I’m doing the Super Bowl halftime show, and I’m very happy—and I think everybody is happy about it, even Fox News,» he said, cutting to a sketch with edited clips of FOX News hosts saying «Bad Bunny is my favorite musician and he should be the next president.» The network is near to Donald Trump’s ideology, whose government has already criticized the decision to select Bad Bunny as the halftime performer.

«I’m very excited to be doing the Super Bowl, and I know people everywhere who love my music are excited too,» he added.

Then, Benito switched to Spanish: «Especialmente todos los latinos y las latinas en el mundo entero y aquí en Estados Unidos, todas las personas que han trabajado para abrir puertas. Más que un logro mío, es un logro de todos, demostrando que nuestra huella y nuestra aportación a este país nadie nunca la podrá sacar ni borrar. Y si no habéis entendido qué he dicho, tenéis 4 meses para aprender [in English: «Especially all the Latinos around the world, and here in the United States, everyone who has worked to open doors. This is not just my achievement—it’s a collective achievement, showing that our impact and contribution to this country can never be erased. And if you didn’t understand what I just said, you’ve got four months to learn.»].

How Could Donald Trump’s Government Affect Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Show?

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance comes amid heightened political tensions. Under Donald Trump’s second term, immigration enforcement has intensified, with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security increasing efforts to target undocumented immigrants.

Reports indicate ICE will be present at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, where Bad Bunny will perform. Corey Lewandowski, senior adviser to the Secretary of Homeland Security, warned on a conservative podcast, “There’s no safe haven for people here illegally. Not at the Super Bowl, not anywhere… We will find them, detain them, and deport them.”

Despite this climate, the NFL independently selects halftime performers through a partnership with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, which manages production and artist selection. Past halftime shows suggest that political and social pressures can influence content.

In 2020, Jennifer Lopez faced pushback from NFL executives over visuals referencing migrant children in detention centers, while Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 performance was restricted in lyrics and staging, with one dancer banned for life for displaying Palestinian and Sudanese flags.

For Bad Bunny, this raises questions about whether the NFL might impose restrictions on his creative expression, from political messages to staging choices. Security and logistical measures may also be affected by the heightened federal attention. In this context, Bad Bunny’s defiant SNL message—standing up for Latinos, highlighting his cultural impact, and directly challenging critics—carries even more weight. He’s not just performing; he’s making a statement.