Former President Barack Obama praised Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show as a celebration of community, joy, and inclusion, saying it reflected what Martin Luther King Jr. called the “beloved community,” a vision of society that is not perfect, sometimes messy, but offers space for everyone. In an interview with Brian Cohen, Obama highlighted the performance’s intergenerational and culturally diverse elements, noting that it “wasn’t preachy; it was showing community.”
.@BarackObama: "Bad Bunny's halftime show… This is what a community is. People who did not speak Spanish and have never been to Puerto Rico, they saw that elderly woman serving a drink and the kids dancing with their grandmas. It was intergenerational. It was a reminder of what… pic.twitter.com/dKOpp711sW
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) February 14, 2026
The Puerto Rican musician’s 13-minute performance at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara included a real wedding, appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, and moments emphasizing unity across the Americas. Near the conclusion, Bad Bunny delivered the English message, “God bless America,” while holding a football inscribed with “Together, We Are America,” and included a Spanish affirmation, “We’re still here.” Obama framed the performance as emblematic of the type of cultural moments that energize communities, inspire participation, and foster shared identity beyond political division.
Bad Bunny's Full #SuperBowlLX HalfTime Show pic.twitter.com/2iI5dzkdB4
— celebsnapz (@celebsnapzx) February 9, 2026
The show drew sharply contrasting reactions, highlighting the cultural and political significance of such events. President Donald Trump criticized the halftime performance on social media, claiming that the Spanish-language lyrics were unintelligible and calling the show “an affront to the Greatness of America.” Trump’s comments reflect a broader pattern of criticism he has leveled against Latino and immigrant communities. Bad Bunny, an outspoken critic of Trump’s immigration policies, recently expressed opposition to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, including the detentions and deportations enacted under the current administration.
The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence. Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is…
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) February 9, 2026
Obama connected the halftime show’s message to the broader political context, noting that Democrats succeed by emphasizing inclusion and community rather than anger and divisiveness. He suggested that the performance illustrated the kind of positive, engaging cultural expression that reinforces civic bonds. “Our home court is bringing people together,” he said, contrasting it with what he characterized as the Trump administration’s reliance on divisive rhetoric.
The former president also linked the show’s communal spirit to his broader post-presidential work, including the Obama Foundation and the upcoming presidential center in Chicago, which aim to cultivate civic engagement, leadership, and intergenerational collaboration. By highlighting cultural touchstones like Bad Bunny’s halftime performance, Obama underscored the potential of arts and entertainment to model the values of empathy, inclusion, and shared purpose, complementing traditional political activism.
Through his remarks, Obama positioned the halftime show as more than a musical performance—it was, in his view, a tangible reminder that community, joy, and collective action remain central to American life. The event’s resonance extended beyond cultural appreciation, offering an example of how public celebration can embody principles of unity and mutual respect even amid a fractious political environment.
