The announcement that Bad Bunny will headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show has already sparked strong reactions. The Puerto Rican artist was officially confirmed as the performer for Super Bowl LX, set for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
For many, this is a milestone: not just a massive stage for a Latin artist, but also a chance to spotlight culture, identity, and what it means to be Latino—and Puerto Rican—in the U.S. Even more significant, he’ll be the first Latin artist to headline the event solo.
What makes it more interesting is that Bad Bunny had previously skipped many U.S. tour stops, citing concerns over ICE presence at concerts and how it could impact his fans.
Super Bowl LX.
Bay Area.
February 2026.#AppleMusicHalftime@NFL @AppleMusic @RocNation @SNFonNBC @nbc @peacock pic.twitter.com/XEWpAldrlS— Benito Antonio (@sanbenito) September 29, 2025
But once his participation became public, People reported that a Trump adviser declared ICE agents will be present at the 2026 Super Bowl—including the halftime show.
In an interview, Corey Lewandowski, a Trump-aligned adviser, said that no event—Super Bowl included—would offer protection for undocumented people. “We will find you and apprehend you and put you in a detention facility and deport you,” he declared.
He also called the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny “shameful,” claiming the artist “seems to hate America” and suggesting that this decision divides rather than unites. Lewandowski doubled down: “There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally.”
🚨BREAKING: ICE will be at the 2026 Super Bowl deporting people during Bad Bunny’s halftime show, per Trump advisor.
“It’s so shameful they’ve decided to pick somebody who seems to hate America so much to represent them at the Halftime Show,” advisor Corey Lewandowski says. pic.twitter.com/iJ8sfUciwP
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) October 1, 2025
It’s important to note, though, that Bad Bunny is a U.S. citizen—born in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory. Legally, ICE cannot detain him on immigration grounds. Which means the threat here is more symbolic and political. But for many concertgoers—especially undocumented Latinos—the warning creates very real fear.
Benito has publicly criticized ICE before. After raids in Puerto Rico that targeted mostly Dominicans, he called the agents “sons of b***hes” and denounced the operation as unjust. He also admitted that the fear of ICE showing up influenced his decision to cut back on U.S. tour dates in the past.
For many, the announcement of ICE presence at the Super Bowl feels like an attempt to intimidate Latino communities or politicize a cultural event. Others argue that immigration enforcement applies everywhere—even at high-profile events like this. Fans, advocacy groups, and media outlets are watching closely, especially given the massive visibility of the Super Bowl stage.
Now the questions are on the table: Will the NFL respond? Will they push back against political overreach in entertainment? And will other artists follow Bad Bunny’s lead? The answers could shape how future performers approach U.S. shows under this tense political climate.
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