The Betrayal at Halftime: Bad Bunny's Anti-Family, Anti-American Super Bowl Spectacle vs. TPUSA's Patriotic Alternative
- Eric Perrine

- Feb 9
- 5 min read

The 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, headlined by Bad Bunny, was nothing short of a cultural assault on American values, transforming what should have been a unifying celebration of our nation's greatest game into a divisive platform for vulgarity, foreign language dominance, and subtle jabs at our sovereignty. As a conservative, I see this as yet another example of the entertainment industry's left-wing agenda infiltrating our most cherished traditions, exposing millions of families to content that erodes moral standards and mocks the patriotic spirit that makes America exceptional. From explicit lyrics that degrade women and promote hedonism to a performance steeped in political undertones critical of U.S. policies, Bad Bunny's set was a far cry from family-friendly entertainment. In stark contrast, Turning Point USA's (TPUSA) alternative "All-American Halftime Show" offered a refreshing, wholesome tribute to faith, family, and freedom, reminding us what true American pride looks like. This article will thoroughly explain the anti-family and anti-American elements of Bad Bunny's performance, dissect some of his vulgar lyrics, and highlight the profound differences between the two shows, drawing lessons for conservatives on why we must reclaim our cultural institutions.
To fully appreciate the outrage, let's start with Bad Bunny's performance itself. On February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the Puerto Rican artist delivered a vibrant, high-energy set dominated by Spanish-language songs, colorful costumes, and elaborate staging that celebrated Latin culture but alienated many English-speaking viewers. The show featured surprise guests and a cinematic feel, but its symbolism—such as a football spiked with a message about unity across the Americas—felt like a subtle dig at U.S. exceptionalism, implying a pan-Latin identity that transcends American borders. Conservatives argue this was inherently anti-American, prioritizing a foreign cultural narrative on our national stage, where millions of families gather to celebrate U.S. traditions. The performance avoided overt politics, but Bad Bunny's history of criticizing U.S. immigration policies and Trump's leadership cast a shadow, making the show feel like a veiled statement against American sovereignty. Learning from this, conservatives see it as part of a broader Hollywood trend to "woke-ify" events, pushing diversity at the expense of unity and exposing children to messages that undermine family values.
One of the most troubling aspects was the underlying vulgarity tied to Bad Bunny's music catalog, which conservatives view as profoundly anti-family. Songs like "Yo Perreo Sola" and "Safaera" contain explicit references to sexual acts, objectification of women, and crude language that glorifies casual encounters and hedonism. For instance, lyrics in "Safaera" describe intimate acts in graphic detail, using slang that degrades women and promotes a culture of promiscuity antithetical to traditional family structures. Even though the halftime set was edited for broadcast, the performer's overall body of work—filled with themes of excess, drug use, and rebellion—sends a dangerous message to young viewers. Conservatives argue this normalizes behaviors that erode the nuclear family, the cornerstone of a stable society. From a learning standpoint, this highlights how media choices influence cultural norms: exposing families to artists with such content during a prime-time event chips away at moral foundations, making it harder to raise children with respect for virtue and self-control.
Bad Bunny's anti-American views further amplified the show's divisive nature. Over his career, he has openly criticized U.S. policies, particularly Trump's handling of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, accusing the administration of neglect and imperialism. He has advocated for Puerto Rican independence, protesting against American governance and aligning with causes that conservatives see as separatist and ungrateful for U.S. aid. His "ICE out" statement at the 2026 Grammys, calling for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, positioned him as an opponent of border security, a core American value. Conservatives view this as anti-American, promoting open borders and diminishing U.S. sovereignty. Learning from his background, Bad Bunny's rise from Puerto Rico to global stardom has been marked by activism that frames America as an oppressor, ignoring the opportunities it provides. This mindset, infused into a Super Bowl performance, feels like a rejection of the American dream, prioritizing ethnic identity over national unity.
In sharp contrast, TPUSA's "All-American Halftime Show" on February 8 offered a wholesome, patriotic alternative that celebrated faith, family, and freedom. Streamed on YouTube and drawing 6.1 million concurrent viewers, the event featured artists like Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, delivering performances rooted in American country and rock traditions. The show emphasized unity, with themes of resilience and love for country, free from vulgarity or political divisiveness. Conservatives praised it as family-friendly, with clean lyrics and a focus on shared values like hard work and patriotism. Unlike Bad Bunny's Spanish-dominant set, TPUSA's performance was in English, accessible to all Americans, and avoided explicit content, making it suitable for children. This difference teaches a vital lesson: entertainment can uplift or degrade—TPUSA's show reinforced American exceptionalism, while Bad Bunny's pushed a narrative of cultural resistance.
The gulf between the two highlights a cultural war. Bad Bunny's performance, with its vulgar undertones and anti-American views, represented the left's push to redefine patriotism as globalist and permissive, eroding family values. TPUSA's alternative embodied conservative ideals: clean, unifying, and proudly American. Learning from this, conservatives must boycott woke entertainment and support patriotic alternatives to reclaim our institutions.
In conclusion, Bad Bunny's halftime show was a low point for the Super Bowl, promoting anti-family vulgarity and anti-American sentiments that have no place in our national traditions. TPUSA's show proved there's a better way—faithful to our values. Conservatives, let's learn and act to preserve America's cultural heart.
Sources Cited
Fox News: "Top Democrats fawn over Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, attack Trump and other conservative critics" (February 9, 2026). https://www.foxnews.com/sports/top-democrats-fawn-over-bad-bunnys-super-bowl-halftime-show-amid-conservative-backlash
ESPN: "Why the NFL stood by Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime show" (January 30, 2026). https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47757332/nfl-stood-bad-bunny-super-bowl-half-show-trump
Rolling Stone: "Right-Wingers Who Boycotted Halftime Show Still Saw Enough of It to Be Furious" (February 9, 2026). https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/right-wingers-melt-down-bad-bunny-headlining-super-bowl-1235513261
USA Today Opinion: "WARNING: Bad Bunny's Super Bowl show will turn you woke" (February 5, 2026). https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2026/02/05/super-bowl-bad-bunny-turning-point-usa-halftime-show/88509842007
The Independent: "Turning Point halftime show latest: Trump silent on MAGA performance as conservative group plans another one" (February 9, 2026). https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/turning-point-halftime-show-kid-rock-b2916233.html
YouTube (TPUSA): "TPUSA Presents: The ALL-AMERICAN HALFTIME SHOW" (February 8, 2026). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJszMT9wZtQ
Cincinnati Enquirer: "Bad Bunny vs. Turning Point halftime show viewership. What we know" (February 9, 2026). https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/television/2026/02/09/how-many-people-watched-the-halftime-show-2026-bad-bunny-super-bowl/88586255007
Time: "What to Know About the Political Feud Behind Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Performance" (February 8, 2026). https://time.com/7372704/bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-show-cultural-impact
Dazed: "How Bad Bunny became a political icon" (February 9, 2026). https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/69572/1/bad-bunny-became-political-icon-super-bowl-lx-ice-puerto-rico-trump-us
BBC: "Could Bad Bunny set off political fireworks at the Super Bowl half-time show?" (February 9, 2026). https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0y18g8g7ro
Fox News: "Why Bad Bunny’s polarizing Super Bowl halftime show felt like a slap at America" (February 9, 2026). https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/bad-bunnys-polarizing-super-bowl-halftime-show-felt-like-slap-america
The Conversation: "The backlash to Bad Bunny's halftime show reveals how MAGA defines who belongs in America" (February 9, 2026). https://theconversation.com/the-backlash-to-bad-bunnys-halftime-show-reveals-how-maga-defines-who-belongs-in-america-274815
Reddit (r/Spanish): "EoO by Bad Bunny Explained in Excruciating Detail" (Accessed February 9, 2026). https://www.reddit.com/r/Spanish/comments/1mvn8au/eoo_by_bad_bunny_explained_in_excruciating_detail
Facebook: "Hate, Xenophobia, Envy & Fake News is Behind Attacks Against Bad Bunny" (February 9, 2026). https://www.facebook.com/groups/526723685033018/posts/1603008344071208
Bad Bunny Syllabus: "Gender and Sexuality" (Accessed February 9, 2026). https://www.badbunnysyllabus.com/syllabus/gender-and-sexuality
CC Pulse: "It's Official: Bye, Bad Bunny" (January 9, 2024, with 2026 updates). https://ccpulse.org/2024/01/09/what-do-you-do-when-your-favorite-artist-breaks-your-heart
Threads: "If you're upset about Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl, it's worth asking yourself why" (February 9, 2026). https://www.threads.com/@malexonthego/post/DUZ-sjYFAA7/if-youre-upset-about-bad-bunny-at-the-super-bowl-its-worth-asking-yourself-why

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