Super Bowl Halftime Show Sparks Fury Over Translated Bad Bunny Lyrics
Viewers of the Super Bowl were left shocked and disgusted after social media users began circulating English translations of the Spanish lyrics from Bad Bunny's music, following his headline-making halftime performance. The backlash erupted hours after the show, with critics branding the content "pure degeneracy" and questioning why the NFL chose to put the global superstar on its biggest stage.
Conservative Outrage Over Translated Content
Conservative commentator Megan Basham posted screenshots of translated lyrics, which she described as "the most obscene lyrics ever to be performed at a Super Bowl halftime." In a social media post, Basham wrote: "These are the lyrics Christians are being told they should have embraced and celebrated." She added that she was disturbed by claims that children would "get a kick out of hearing this Spanish."
In a follow-up post, Basham acknowledged that some lyrics were altered for the Super Bowl broadcast but insisted that portions remained intact—and that the artist's broader catalog was still being celebrated publicly. Others quickly echoed her reaction. Conservative commentator Andrew Kolvet wrote in response to the translations circulating online: "Worse than I realized. Pure degeneracy."
Debate Over Language Barriers and Scrutiny
The controversy soon broadened beyond Bad Bunny himself, with commentators debating whether songs performed in Spanish receive less scrutiny because many viewers do not understand the lyrics. One social media user argued: "Language barriers do a lot of heavy lifting. The content doesn't change just because the language does."
They went on to share multiple examples of Spanish lyrics from Bad Bunny's catalog alongside blunt English translations, stressing that they were not metaphors or innuendo, but straightforward sexual references that would provoke backlash if performed in English. Another user said they were "clutching pearls" after reading the lyrics, describing them as lacking "subtlety" and "class."
Defenders Push Back Against Criticism
Not everyone agreed with the outrage. Progressive commentator Christopher Webb questioned why the religious right was fixated on lyric translations rather than the show's broader themes, which he said included marriage, family, small business, and community. His post was swiftly rebutted by conservative pundit Liz Wheeler, who challenged him to identify which lyrics actually celebrated those values.
Others accused critics of hypocrisy, pointing out that American rock and hip-hop artists with explicit English-language lyrics have long been featured at major events without sparking comparable outrage. One viral post contrasted Bad Bunny with Kid Rock, who headlined Turning Point USA's MAGA-friendly halftime show on Sunday, claiming the latter had faced less backlash despite past controversial lyrics.
Mixed Reactions to the Performance
While some joked that they were "wondering why there were no subtitles" during the show, others insisted the performance was "fun, upbeat, & more patriotic than MAGA understands." One supporter wrote: "Showing off the culture, family, & togetherness was incredible! It was respectful & creative." Another added: "It was so uplifting, I really needed that."
Political Figures Weigh In
The controversy over Bad Bunny's halftime appearance comes amid an already heated reaction to the show, which also drew criticism from Donald Trump. On Sunday evening, Trump said the rapper's gig was "absolutely terrible" and that there was "nothing inspirational" about choosing a star who did not perform in English.
In an excoriating review on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World. It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn't represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence."
Performance Details and Aftermath
Bad Bunny was joined by Lady Gaga, Pedro Pascal, Ricky Martin, Jessica Alba, Karol G, and Cardi B as he headlined the halftime show at Sunday's Super Bowl LX, where the Seattle Seahawks trounced the New England Patriots by 29–13. The football field at Levi's Stadium in California was transformed into a sugarcane plantation and included domino players, a Latino wedding, and utility poles for him to climb up to perform.
Bad Bunny, a vocal opponent of Trump's ICE agency, listed countries throughout North and South America while holding a football with the words "Together, we are America" written on it. A message on the big screen then read: "The only thing more powerful than hate is love." At one point, he also placed his hand on a young boy's head and handed him a Grammy. Viewers initially thought it was Liam Conejo Ramos, the five-year-old who was detained by ICE agents last month, but it was actually a young actor.
While fans called it a love letter to Latin and Hispanic culture, the performance angered Donald Trump, who called it "an affront to the Greatness of America." Following the show, Bad Bunny, who has more than 52 million Instagram followers, removed all the posts on his social media, including his profile photo. The Daily Mail has reached out to Bad Bunny's representatives for comment but has not heard back at this time.
