"From Jose Feliciano's groundbreaking interpretation of the National Anthem at the 1968 World Series to Shakira and Jennifer Lopez's Super Bowl halftime performance, Latino artists have brought some of the most memorable - and controversial - moments to U.S. sports history. Catch up quick: Far-right commentators lashed out on social media almost immediately after the NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Bad Bunny as 2026'sSuper Bowl halftime performer."
"MAGA influencers accused Bad Bunny of being a "demonic Marxist," attacked him for being critical of ICE raids and suggested he wasn't American enough because he performs mainly in Spanish. An adviser to Homeland Security even suggested that ICE agents may be dispatched to the Super Bowl during his performance - even though the Puerto Rican-born performer is a U.S. citizen. (Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and ICE cannot legally detain him)."
Latino artists have repeatedly created iconic and controversial moments within U.S. sports culture. Bad Bunny's selection as the 2026 Super Bowl halftime performer prompted immediate far-right backlash on social media, including accusations that he is a "demonic Marxist," criticism for opposing ICE raids, and claims he is not sufficiently American for performing mainly in Spanish. A Homeland Security adviser suggested ICE agents might be dispatched despite the performer being Puerto Rican-born and thus a U.S. citizen, and ICE lacks legal authority to detain him in that context. Bad Bunny ranks among the world's most-streamed artists and posted a Super Bowl announcement video. A Northeastern professor attributed the anger to ignorance about Puerto Rican citizenship and resentment when minorities fail to conform to model-minority expectations.
Read at Axios
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