Bad Bunny stays seated and stirs more controversy ahead of the Super Bowl

Bad Bunny made headlines again, but this time it wasn’t for a new album or his upcoming Super Bowl performance. The Puerto Rican artist was caught on TMZ cameras sitting through the rendition of “God Bless America” at Yankee Stadium. The moment occurred during the seventh inning of the game between the Yankees and the Blue Jays. What seemed like a quiet gesture quickly turned into a political and media uproar.

According to Firstsportz, Bad Bunny was seated next to his manager. And both chose not to stand while the rest of the stadium rose in respect. The scene went viral almost instantly, sparking a wave of criticism—especially from conservative voices. Political commentator Tomi Lahren accused Bad Bunny of “disrespecting America,” while MAGA figure Vince Langman called his selection as the Super Bowl 2026 headliner “a joke.”

Controversy and backlash

The controversy escalated when President Donald Trump joined the chorus of critics in an interview with Newsmax. “I don’t know who that bunny is,” he said, referring to Bad Bunny’s stage name, and called his Super Bowl appearance “ridiculous.” The artist’s camp responded with irony, reminding the public that Puerto Rico is part of the United States—and that Trump’s comment only underscored the ongoing ignorance about Latino identity in the country.

𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: The FULL video of Bad Bunny sitting during the singing of God Bless America at the Yankees game this week has surfaced online.

Hundreds of thousands of American football fans are demanding that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell change the Super Bowl halftime… pic.twitter.com/5hh7bLBuNT

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 12, 2025

Bad Bunny didn’t shy away from the issue. He used his appearance on Saturday Night Live to thank the NFL for the Super Bowl opportunity and dedicated his monologue to Latinos who’ve paved the way in the U.S. He closed with a line in Spanish. “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you’ve got four months to learn.”

The debate continues

Beyond the isolated gesture, the incident reignites a broader conversation about representation, identity, and freedom of expression at sporting events. Bad Bunny, who has openly criticized ICE and certain immigration policies, has previously opted to perform outside the U.S. to avoid backlash against his fans.

The Super Bowl 2026 is shaping up to be a stage loaded with symbolism. And Bad Bunny, with his irreverent style and unapologetic Latino narrative, seems ready to turn every step into a statement.