Bad Bunny has been under massive fire from American politicians since the NFL officially locked him for the Super Bowl 60 halftime show. He addressed the backlash during his Saturday Night Live hosting gig. He even joked about critics and told viewers to learn Spanish before February. But with time, the right-wing figures only criticized his selection.
Super Bowl Drama Explodes as John Oliver Backs Bad Bunny
Super Bowl Drama Explodes as John Oliver Backs Bad Bunny (screenshot Via X/@AccessBadBunny)
But John Oliver praised the league’s decision to tap Bad Bunny while condemning recent ICE raids. The comedian defended the Puerto Rican superstar against conservative critics and spotlighted aggressive federal agents’ actions going on across the country.
Super Bowl Drama Explodes as John Oliver Backs Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny will headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, which is confirmed news now. The announcementtriggered outright pushback from conservative pundits.
Right at this moment, everyone knows he is infamous as a “massive Trump hater” and “anti-ICE activist” who releases “no songs in English.” So, the backlash from the political side wasn’t surprising.
For the unversed, he refused to perform anywhere in the 50 states, partly over concerns that “fucking ICE could be outside” his concerts. He’s been outspoken about immigrant rights. He built his entire career on Spanish-language music without compromise.
Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski announcedICE agents would be present at next year’s Super Bowl.The threat came after the reveal of BB’s name as a halftime performer.
But British-American comedian Oliver wasn’t having it. During Sunday night’s episode of “Last Week Tonight,” he mocked all of these manufactured controversies,per Variety.He said, “The NFL ‘controversially’ gave the Super Bowl Halftime Show to one of the hottest, most commercially successful people alive.”
The host defended the selection without hesitation. Bad Bunny commands stadiums worldwide, and he is a proven draw with massive commercial appeal.
He then shifted to ICE enforcement, calling raids in Chicago “nauseating” after agents handcuffed a city council member and tossed tear gas near a school. Oliver praised people for standing up to unfair actions by the government.
Stephen A. Smith Also Backs Bad Bunny Amid Super Bowl Backlash
Sports analyst Stephen A. Smith also joined the chorus of defense alongside Oliver. The ESPN talking head called Bad Bunny an “international superstar in the streaming stratosphere.” He backed the NFL’s choice without any double thought.
Smith threw shade at Taylor Swift fans in the process. He argued Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara suits Bad Bunny’s global fanbase better. Swift should wait for Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where Smith caught her Eras Tour twice.
“Taylor Swift and Swifties turned up at SoFi, and they turned it out,” Smithsaid. “That is where she should perform the halftime Super Bowl show, not in Northern California.”
Now this has created a fresh perspective. Swifties wanted their icon after her engagement to Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Smith benched that idea fast. He’s riding with Bad Bunny and leaving Swift in coverage for another year.