NFL’s Billion Dollar Betrayal — Americans Furious

The NFL’s decision to feature an openly anti-Trump artist at America’s biggest sporting event wasn’t just a slap in the face to patriotic fans—it was a calculated business move that prioritized international profits over American values.

Story Snapshot

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show featured Spanish-language content and anti-Trump messaging, sparking widespread conservative backlash
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the choice despite criticism from President Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and House Speaker Mike Johnson
The performance included “ICE out” declarations and Puerto Rican separatist imagery, dividing American viewers along political lines
NFL’s international expansion strategy targets Latino audiences in Mexico and Latin America, risking alienation of traditional American fanbase

NFL Chooses Controversial Artist Despite Political Record

The NFL announced Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl LXI halftime performer in late September 2025, igniting immediate controversy. Bad Bunny’s anti-Trump activism spans years, including a 2020 song declaring “F–K DONALD TRUMP! PRESIDENTE DEL RACISMO” and a 2024 endorsement of Kamala Harris criticizing Trump’s Hurricane Maria response. The league partnered with Roc Nation and Jay-Z following the 2016 anthem kneeling protests, committing $89 million to social justice initiatives. This selection represents the NFL’s international growth strategy, targeting Latin American markets where Bad Bunny ranks as Spotify’s top-streamed artist for the fourth consecutive year.

Trump Administration Officials Condemn NFL Decision

President Trump called the halftime selection “absolutely ridiculous,” while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem threatened ICE presence and labeled the NFL “weak” on her podcast just five days after the announcement. House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed for “family-friendly” alternatives like Lee Greenwood, echoing the frustrations of millions of Americans who view football as a unifying American tradition. Conservative groups organized counter-programming, with Turning Point USA hosting an “All American Halftime Show” featuring Kid Rock. A petition demanding George Strait as the performer garnered over 120,000 signatures, demonstrating grassroots opposition to the NFL’s politically divisive choice that prioritizes global audiences over loyal American fans.

Performance Features Spanish-Only Content and Political Messaging

The February 8, 2026 halftime show in Santa Clara featured predominantly Spanish-language performances, ending with “God Bless América”—referring to the Americas plural, not the United States. The performance included explicit anti-ICE messaging, power outage imagery referencing Puerto Rico, and what critics identified as subtle Puerto Rican separatist symbolism. This marks a stark departure from traditional halftime shows that celebrate American unity and culture. The performance deliberately excluded English-speaking Americans from understanding the majority of content, raising legitimate questions about whether the NFL values its core fanbase. Patriots who built this league deserve entertainment that honors American culture, not performances that mock our immigration enforcement and promote division.

League Prioritizes International Revenue Over American Fans

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the decision at league meetings, calling Bad Bunny “one of the greatest artists” and dismissing concerns as expected “blowback.” The league’s Chief Marketing Officer Tim Ellis stated “Bad Bunny is f—ing awesome,” revealing the NFL’s contempt for traditional American values. This calculated decision targets Mexico and Latin America as key growth markets, expanding international audiences while risking core American viewership. The business rationale exposes how corporate interests trump patriotism in modern sports. Commissioner Goodell and league executives prioritize global streaming numbers and international merchandise sales over respecting the Americans who made football the nation’s premier sport through generations of loyalty and support.

The long-term implications extend beyond one halftime show. The NFL’s willingness to platform anti-American activism during the Super Bowl signals a troubling shift toward globalism at the expense of traditional values. While Latino and Puerto Rican fans celebrated representation, millions of patriotic Americans felt alienated by a performance that seemed designed to provoke rather than unite. The league faces a cultural reckoning as it attempts to balance international expansion with maintaining the American identity that built football into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. This controversy demonstrates how major American institutions increasingly cater to global markets while dismissing legitimate concerns from conservative Americans who cherish national unity and traditional values.