The internet lit up this week with whispers that the NFL had yanked Bad Bunny from the 2026 Super Bowl halftime lineup, fueled by a storm of political backlash. But hold on—those claims? They're flat-out wrong. The league confirmed Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican reggaeton sensation, is still headlining the show at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on February 8, 2026. Social media posts claiming a cancellation, often tied to conservative outrage over his pro-immigrant stance, spread like wildfire but crumbled under scrutiny.
At the heart of this frenzy is Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose fiery rhetoric has turned the event into a flashpoint. In interviews, Noem blasted the NFL as "so weak" for picking Bad Bunny, vowing that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would swarm the stadium to "enforce the law." She even quipped that the league "won't be able to sleep at night" over the choice. It's a bold escalation, especially since Bad Bunny skipped a U.S. tour leg earlier this year, citing fears of ICE crackdowns under the Trump administration. Noem's comments, delivered with a mix of defiance and promise, underscore the deepening rift between entertainment and politics.
Indeed, the backlash isn't new. Bad Bunny's announcement as performer drew swift ire from MAGA circles, with figures like Corey Lewandowski echoing threats of ICE presence. Critics see it as an overreach, punishing an artist for his lyrics and activism that celebrate Latino culture and resist assimilation. Yet the NFL, perhaps eyeing its diverse fanbase, hasn't budged. The performer's history of chart-topping hits and sold-out arenas makes him a safe bet for viewership, politics be damned.
However, Noem doubled down in a recent Fox News spot, insisting ICE would be "all over that place" come game day. This isn't just talk; it hints at real tensions, given Bad Bunny's vocal opposition to deportation policies. The NFL, for its part, has stayed mum on the threats, focusing instead on the spectacle. But as Super Bowl season looms, one can't help but wonder how this cultural clash might reshape the halftime tradition.