Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny turned his Saturday Night Live hosting debut into a cultural battleground, delivering a fiery bilingual monologue that celebrated Latino contributions to America while mocking conservative critics of his 2026 Super Bowl halftime headlining role. The performance, aired on October 5, has exploded across social media, amplifying debates over language, immigration, and national identity just months before Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
‘Bad Bunny’ speaks in Spanish on SNL and tells Americans to learn the language so they can understand what he just said and at the Super Bowl.
He said: “Especially all of the Latinos and Latinas in the world here in the United States who have worked to open doors… It’s more… pic.twitter.com/Ipnj9uyntA
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 5, 2025
In the opening segment of SNL’s Season 51 premiere, Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, expressed thrill over the NFL’s September 29 announcement naming him the halftime performer on February 8, 2026. “I’m very excited to be doing the Super Bowl, and I know that people all around the world who love my music are also happy,” he said in English, before sarcastically adding, “even Fox News.” The quip preceded a satirical supercut of Fox News clips edited to falsely portray anchors like Laura Ingraham and Sean Hannity praising him as “my favorite musician” and suggesting he run for president – a direct jab at the network’s real criticisms of his Spanish-language music and past anti-ICE activism.
Switching to Spanish, Bad Bunny honored Latinos: “Especially all of the Latinos and Latinas in the world here in the United States who have worked to open doors. It’s more than a win for myself, it’s a win for all of us. Our footprints and our contribution in this country, no one will ever be able to take that away or erase it.” He then flipped back to English with a bold challenge: “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.” The line, referencing the time until the Super Bowl, drew cheers from the Studio 8H audience but sparked outrage online, with MAGA supporters decrying it as “anti-American” and calling for boycotts.
The backlash traces to Bad Bunny’s selection as the first artist to headline the halftime show exclusively in Spanish, a milestone for Latino representation but a flashpoint for conservatives. Fox News hosts and guests, including Jimmy Failla, labeled him a “crossdresser who doesn’t speak English,” questioning his suitability for an “American” event despite Puerto Ricans’ U.S. citizenship. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned the NFL would “regret” the choice, while adviser Corey Lewandowski, on “The Benny Show” podcast, vowed ICE agents would enforce immigration laws at the game: “There is nowhere that you can provide safe haven to people in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find you.”
Bad Bunny’s decision to skip U.S. tour stops on his “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” world tour – citing fears of ICE raids targeting fans – fueled the fire. As Spotify’s third-most-streamed artist in 2024, his global appeal made him a prime pick, yet critics like Lewandowski called it “shameful” for the NFL to feature someone who “hates America.” The White House distanced itself, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating no specific ICE plans exist but affirming deportations of criminals.
Social media erupted post-monologue, with viral clips amassing millions of views. Supporters hailed it as a “win for Latinos,” praising Bad Bunny’s unapologetic pride. “Our contributions can’t be erased,” echoed fans, linking it to broader fights against erasure. Detractors, including Breitbart readers and MAGA accounts, fumed: “You have 4 months of stardom left” or “Boycott the NFL.” Polls on X showed divided sentiments, with some vowing to skip the game.
The NFL has reaffirmed its support, emphasizing Bad Bunny’s massive draw – over 40 million Spotify followers – and past halftime successes like Shakira’s. Yet, echoes of historical Latino artist backlash, from José Feliciano to Bad Bunny’s own Trump critiques, suggest the show could become a political lightning rod. As rehearsals loom, this monologue positions Bad Bunny not just as entertainer, but symbol of resistance, challenging America to embrace its multicultural fabric or face deepening divides.