Conservative Congressman Seeks Federal Investigation Into Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Performance
An ultra-conservative United States lawmaker has formally demanded a federal investigation into Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, describing the performance as "explicit and indecent" and calling for congressional action against the broadcasters.
Formal Congressional Inquiry Requested
Republican Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee has written an open letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee requesting a "formal congressional inquiry" into both the National Football League and NBCUniversal for airing the Puerto Rican rapper's performance during the 2026 Super Bowl broadcast. Ogles expressed particular concern about what he termed "sexually explicit lyrical themes and suggestive choreography during the most widely viewed family broadcast of the year."
The congressman questioned whether the broadcaster had adequately "fulfilled its responsibilities" to the American public by allowing the performance to air without sufficient safeguards or content warnings. His complaint specifically targeted the inclusion of Bad Bunny's track "Safaera," which he criticized for containing "graphic lyrical content, including references to analingus, sexual intercourse, and other explicit themes."
Performance Content Controversy
While the original recording of "Safaera" does contain explicit Spanish-language lyrics detailing various sexual acts, the version performed during the 13-minute Super Bowl medley omitted those specific words. Nevertheless, Ogles maintained that the sexual content remained "readily apparent across any language barrier" and that the performance constituted what he described on social media platform X as "pure smut."
The congressman also objected to Bad Bunny's performance of "Yo Perreo Sola," which he characterized as "a twerking and perreo-themed song accompanied by choreography featuring overtly sexualized movements including widespread twerking, grinding, pelvic thrusts, and other sexually suggestive conduct."
Overlooked Wholesome Elements
Notably absent from Ogles' complaint were the numerous heartwarming elements incorporated into Bad Bunny's halftime show. The performance featured:
- Touching tributes to the artist's native Puerto Rico
- Scenes of elderly men playing traditional games at a table
- A live wedding ceremony attended by pop star Lady Gaga
- The presentation of a Grammy award to a five-year-old child representing Bad Bunny's younger self
- A giant message displayed above Levi's Stadium in San Francisco reading: "The only thing more powerful than hate is love"
Many observers interpreted the performance's celebration of love and unity as a subtle rebuke of former President Donald Trump's immigration policies, with one review describing Bad Bunny as "a colorful maelstrom on a mission to show the world the vivacious worth of his people."
Congressman's Background and Previous Positions
Representative Ogles has established himself as one of Congress's most conservative members with several controversial positions:
- He has publicly advocated for Christian nationalism in the United States
- He maintains strong opposition to abortion rights and same-sex marriage
- He has proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow former President Trump to serve a third term
- He has filed articles of impeachment against judges who have ruled against Trump in legal matters
Historical Context of Super Bowl Controversies
Complaints about sexually suggestive content in musical performances have historical precedent dating back to the 1950s, when critics claimed Elvis Presley's "indecent" dancing was corrupting American youth. The Super Bowl itself has faced similar controversies on multiple occasions:
In 2020, seventeen Republican lawmakers wrote a letter criticizing Jennifer Lopez's halftime performance alongside Shakira, complaining that she "wore little clothing and was groped by male and female dancers on stage" and "made sexually suggestive gestures and performed on a stripper pole."
The most infamous Super Bowl halftime incident occurred in 2004 when a "wardrobe malfunction" resulted in Janet Jackson's right breast being exposed to approximately 150 million viewers during the Houston performance.
Requested Investigation Parameters
In his formal request to the Energy and Commerce Committee, Representative Ogles has asked Congress to examine several specific aspects of the broadcast:
- What knowledge the NFL and NBCUniversal possessed regarding the explicit nature of the selected songs
- The show's translation and approval processes for foreign-language content
- Broadcast safeguarding protocols implemented by the network
- The broader implications for broadcaster accountability in family programming
The congressman's complaint represents the latest chapter in ongoing cultural debates about appropriate content for mass-audience broadcasts, particularly those marketed as family-friendly entertainment events that attract viewers across multiple generations and demographic groups.
