Bad Bunny has become the unexpected lightning rod of the 2025 NFL season. What started as a bold artistic statement on July 4 has escalated into one of the league’s most politically charged controversies in years.
The Puerto Rican superstar’s viral message, which declared, “The USA would be nothing without Hispanic immigrants,” has rippled far beyond music.
It has ignited fierce debates among NFL fans, triggered political backlash, and put Commissioner Roger Goodell’s leadership under renewed scrutiny.
Why Has Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show Divided the NFL?
Bad Bunny vs. Donald Trump How the Puerto Rican Pop Star Beat the President in Public Voting (Photo via Gridironheroic.com)
Bad Bunny vs. Donald Trump How the Puerto Rican Pop Star Beat the President in Public Voting (Photo via Gridironheroic.com)
The controversy began with the release of the music video for “NUEVAYol” on July 4, 2025, directed by Renell Medrano. In the video, Bad Bunny uses a distorted voice resembling Donald Trump to deliver a mock apology to immigrants, saying, “I made a mistake. I would like to apologize to the American immigrants. This country is nothing without Mexicans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Venezuelans, Cubans.” That statement quickly became a flashpoint on social media.
This artistic defiance followed his criticism of ICE operations in Puerto Rico in June, where he called agents “sons of bi—es” for detaining working citizens. This outspokenness cemented his status as a global voice for immigrant rights, resonating strongly with young Hispanic NFL fans and Latino players, who now make up nearly 10% of the league’s roster. Within hours of the video’s release, NFL forums were flooded with praise.
One fan wrote, “This is how you speak up with a platform. Oh Bad Bunny, you will always be that guy.”
The music video blurred the line between pop culture and political protest, transforming into a rallying cry for inclusivity in American sports. As hashtags celebrating “Rey Bunny” trended, it was clear that the conversation had crossed into the NFL’s cultural landscape just months before the Super Bowl halftime show announcement.
How Is the NFL Responding to the Backlash?
By October 23, 2025, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that the league was “not reconsidering” its choice of Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl 60 halftime performer. Speaking at the NFL’s annual fall owners meeting, Goodell defended the decision, stating, “He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world. The show will celebrate culture and diversity.”
The statement drew immediate pushback from conservative fans and political commentators. Former President Donald Trump, in a Newsmax interview, said, “I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy.”
Critics accused the league of alienating its traditional fan base, while supporters argued the NFL was finally embracing cultural representation.
One viral post read, “The huge mistake will be watching the game. The NFL needs to understand who their audience is.” Others called for boycotts of sponsors and teams.
Ultimately, the Super Bowl should reflect the NFL’s global presence and its modern audience. How this decision impacts the league’s diversity narrative, or whether it drives away viewers, could shape the rest of the 2025 season and signal a major cultural shift in the NFL’s relationship with its fans.