Bad Bunny Headlining 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show Has Fans Convinced He Is 'Definitely Going To Make a Political Statement'

Ahead of the Super Bowl Halftime Show 2026, Bad Bunny has been named the show's headliner. However, fans suspect his performance will include addressing the political climate in America.

The Puerto Rican superstar, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has never shied away from criticizing the Trump administration, even citing it as the reason he avoided touring in the U.S.

Now he is set to take the stage on February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Though it's not his first Super Bowl appearance, fans are eagerly anticipating what he will bring to the halftime show.

Over the weekend, the "I Like it" singer took to Instagram to share the exciting news of his upcoming gig. In a video set to his hit song "Callaíta," he was seen sitting atop a goal post on a beach, wearing a hat and striking a celebratory pose.

The 31-year-old captioned the post, “Super Bowl Bay Area. February 2026.”In a press statement following the announcement, Bad Bunny paid tribute to his roots, crediting his success to those who came before him.

"What I'm feeling goes beyond myself. It's for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown... this is for my people, my culture, and our history," he said, according to Page Six.

The “Monaco”  singer's selection drew high praise from the show's organizers, including Jay-Z, who plays a major role in choosing performers for the football night through his company Roc Nation.

Jay Z said, "What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world's biggest stage." Jon Barker, NFL Senior VP of Global Event Production, also lauded the Latin music star for his "global energy and cultural vibrancy that define today's music scene."

Barker noted that the “Mia” hitmaker was the right pick because of his ability to bridge genres, languages, and audiences.

The news has since sparked a frenzy among supporters of the Grammy winner who predict that his performance will come with swipes at Trump. 

One supporter wrote, “Do you guys realize how f0cking HUGE this is. He's refusing to tour America right now bc of the ICE, but is choosing to do the biggest show, aka the halftime. He is definitely going to make a political statement.”

A second individual commended Jay-Z for picking a Latino for the big event during Trump’s tenure. 

Another observer remarked that the selectors deliberately chose an artist "who is an outspoken critic of the current administration and even canceled a U.S. tour over fears of ICE raids."

While one user condemned how Latino music is celebrated, but Latino workers are ignored, a second person found it mind-blowing that Bunny went from avoiding the U.S to dominating its biggest stage. 

A sixth fan added, “Using the biggest stage on US television to send a message about this administration and ice is iconic to me.”

The Super Bowl halftime announcement comes nearly two weeks after the "Dákiti" singer explained his decision to exclude the U.S. during a 30-show stadium residency in Puerto Rico.

The "Caught Stealing" hitmaker emphasized that his choice wasn't motivated by hatred toward the country. Instead, he cited the Trump administration's mass deportation of Latinos as a major reason for pausing U.S. performances.

"ICE could be outside (my concert). And it's something that we were talking about and very concerned about," he lamented in an interview. He, however, noted that fans, both Latino and Puerto Rican, could still attend his shows without him having to tour the U.S. directly.

Whether the singer will call out Trump during his February 8 set remains uncertain, as he has previously been cautioned to steer clear of politics. 

As The Blast reported, when Bad Bunny released the music video for “NUEVAYol,” which took a dig at Trump's policies and celebrated his Puerto Rican heritage, it sparked outrage from MAGA supporters. 

The video included a scene of men listening to a distorted, Trump-like voice offering exaggerated apologies to immigrants. One critic warned, "Bad Bunny, mind your business! Stay out of politics," while another suggested the singer should be deported.