Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar has joined conservative voices criticizing the Super Bowl LX halftime show headlined by Bad Bunny.
In a social media post, the Republican legislator argued that the nation's most-watched sporting event missed an opportunity to bring the country together, instead fostering division.
"The Super Bowl is the most significant game in the most iconic American sport. It's supposed to be a national moment to unite everyone," Salazar stated.
According to her, this spirit was absent in the halftime show led by the Puerto Rican artist.
"Let's be honest, it shouldn't be a multicultural fair. Its audience is primarily English-speaking and deserves a halftime performance they can understand and enjoy," she added.
Salazar went further, questioning the fact that the show was entirely in Spanish without subtitles.
"Having a halftime show completely in Spanish, with no subtitles, is not inclusive. It is exclusive," she declared.
From her viewpoint, the event sidelined part of the audience and detracted from what she believes should have been the main focus.
Salazar also noted that although Spanish music is popular in cities like Miami, the emphasis should remain on American national identity.
"In Miami, we enjoy Spanish music, but we put America first," she stated.
She regretted that the controversy overshadowed what she sees as the valuable contributions of the Latino community to the nation.
"Unfortunately, today, instead of discussing the great contributions Hispanics make to our country—both legal and undocumented—we are debating how poorly executed this event was. A huge missed opportunity!" she concluded.
Aligning with Trump's Views
Salazar's comments mirror those of former President Donald Trump, who reacted strongly after the performance.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump labeled Bad Bunny's performance as "absolutely terrible" and "one of the worst in history," claiming it was "a slap in the face to our country."
His message combined criticism of the language used, moral objections to the show's content, and a defense of his vision of American identity.
Trump wrote that the performance "does not represent our standards of success, creativity, or excellence," adding, "Nobody understands a word this guy says, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young kids watching from all over the U.S. and the world."
He wrapped up his message by attacking the media and the NFL, and reiterated his political slogan: "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Conservative Alternative Show
Meanwhile, elements within the conservative ecosystem promoted an alternative to the official show.
Through an online broadcast, the All-American Halftime Show, organized by Turning Point USA, aired nearly simultaneously with Bad Bunny's performance and peaked at over six million simultaneous viewers on YouTube.
The Puerto Rican artist's show marked a milestone as the first Super Bowl halftime performance to feature a completely Spanish setlist.
Bad Bunny shared the stage with stars like Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Pedro Pascal, Karol G, and Young Miko.
The stage setup featured a Caribbean aesthetic with a Puerto Rican house, palm trees, and sugar cane fields, rich with cultural symbols.
Among the most talked-about moments were a simulated wedding between a migrant and an American citizen, the appearance of a Latino child symbolically receiving a Grammy, and the closing phrase, "God bless America," the only English words in the entire presentation.
Following this, the artist listed each Latin American country as their flags were raised. The ball he held read: "Together, we are America."
Bad Bunny and Trump's Clash
Bad Bunny, who recently won the Grammy for Album of the Year for "Debí Tirar Más Fotos," has been a vocal critic of Trumpism, famously avoiding touring the U.S. during the Republican administration to protect undocumented fans.
Thus, Salazar and Trump's reactions to the halftime show extend beyond musical evaluation. They highlight a broader debate over what the Super Bowl represents as a cultural and political stage, and who should occupy the central role in the American narrative.
Key Questions on Super Bowl Halftime Show Controversy
Why did María Elvira Salazar criticize the Super Bowl halftime show?
María Elvira Salazar criticized the show for not being inclusive, arguing it was entirely in Spanish without subtitles, which she felt excluded a primarily English-speaking audience.
What was Donald Trump's reaction to Bad Bunny's performance?
Donald Trump called the performance "absolutely terrible" and a "slap in the face to our country," criticizing it for not representing American standards of success and creativity.
How did the conservative community respond to the Super Bowl halftime show?
The conservative community organized an alternative show called the All-American Halftime Show, which aired online and attracted over six million viewers.