Texas conservative leaders joined a wave of online criticism following Puerto Rican singer and rapper Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance on Sunday, while Democratic officials and supporters praised the show’s message and cultural representation.
Some Republican and MAGA figures argued the performance — which reportedly drew more than 135 million viewers — was anti-American and promoted progressive values.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick engaged in a social media exchange with Quorum Report editor Scott Braddock after Braddock reported that Patrick’s campaign had texted Austin lobbyists urging them to watch Turning Point USA’s alternative “All-American Halftime Show” instead of the NFL broadcast. The program featured performers including Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett.
“Yes, I will! I am encouraging everyone to watch a more wholesome, all-American halftime show choreographed by patriots, not the NFL,” Patrick wrote on X.
Users responded by referencing past controversy surrounding lyrics from one of Kid Rock’s songs, prompting further debate online. Braddock later replied, “Thanks for confirming.”
State Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, described the halftime programming as “blatant anti-American political progressivism shoved down our throats.” He also criticized the show for what he claimed was a lack of English, although Bad Bunny spoke in English at several points and was joined by guest performer Lady Gaga.
Leach appeared to be reacting in part to Bad Bunny holding a Puerto Rican flag during the show. Democratic Texas House candidate Sara McGee responded on X by noting that Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory.
At the national level, President Donald Trump also condemned the performance on Truth Social, calling it an “affront to the Greatness of America.”
Not all reactions were negative. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said she was “still smiling” after watching the performance, describing it as reflective of “joy, creativity, and togetherness.”
State Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, encouraged viewers to “believe in yourselves,” while state Rep. James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, wrote, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett added that “Bad Bunny understood the assignment.”
The roughly 13-minute show included imagery interpreted by some viewers as political. One scene featuring a child actor was reportedly seen as a reference to a young boy whose father was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Dancers dressed as utility workers were also viewed as a nod to Puerto Rico’s ongoing power infrastructure challenges following Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Bad Bunny closed the performance by naming several Latin American and Central American countries as their flags appeared in the background, holding a football that read, “Together we are America,” set against a message stating, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
