The Super Bowl LIX halftime performer just handed critics fresh ammunition. Bad Bunny remained seated during the seventh-inning stretch performance of “God Bless America” at Tuesday night’s Yankees-Blue Jays playoff game at Yankee Stadium.
Marlins Man Claims Bad Bunny Stayed Seated Over Donald Trump Frustration
Marlins Man Claims Bad Bunny Stayed Seated Over Donald Trump Frustration (Image credit: X/@LangmanVince)
A well-known baseball fan sitting beside the Puerto Rican superstar claimed the 31-year-old artist chose not to stand as a silent protest against President Donald Trump.
Marlins Man Claims Bad Bunny Stayed Seated Over Donald Trump Frustration
Laurence Leavy, known across sports as Marlins Man for his bright orange Marlins gear at major sporting events, sat two seats down from Bad Bunny during the playoff matchup.
Leavy revealed he personally asked the Grammy-winning artist to stand during “God Bless America” but was shut down by the singer’s manager.
According to Leavy’s social media post, the manager told him that Bad Bunny was angry at Trump because he said things about Puerto Rico years ago. Headded, “Mad at Trump for saying he’s Latin.”
https://t.co/P1CZTSEK93
So i wanted to add that i asked his manager yo get him up and he said no. Mad at Trump fot saying he’s is Latin and not an American. He thinks Trump doesn’t know Puerto Rico is in USA
— Marlins_Man (@marlins_man) October 11, 2025
The reference points to Trump’s past comments about the island territory, including controversial statements following Hurricane Maria in 2017.
TMZ published photos and video showing Bad Bunny seated while fans around him stood with their hands over their hearts during the patriotic song.
The 31-year-old artist, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, wore a white t-shirt and aviator sunglasses while chatting with friends throughout the performance.
The NFL announced Bad Bunny would headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show at Levi’s Stadium in February 2026.
Trump himself called the decision “absolutely ridiculous,” claiming he’d never heard of the artist despite Bad Bunny’s massive global following and multiple Grammy wins.
NFL Fans Lose It Over Bad Bunny’s Refusal To Stand
The video footage set off a wave of criticism across social media. Fans didn’t hold back their opinions about the incident.
One fanwrote, “This rude guy is not at all respectful.” Anotheradded, “He must feel pretty entitled to not only sit, but to talk throughout the national anthem. How disgraceful.”
A third fanobserved, “Why are those around him not staring him down? I would have. Make shame great again.”
The fourthdemanded, “He needs to be cancelled! No performance at the Super Bowl!”
The fifth fanclaimed, “If a person won’t respect the American flag and anthem – it is tantamount to rejecting their USA.”
The Yankees won the game 9-6 but lost the series when Toronto eliminated them the following night. Bad Bunny’s halftime show will mark the third Super Bowl held at the 49ers’ home stadium.
Whether the NFL reconsiders the booking remains the biggest question hanging over next year’s championship game.