Jay-Z diminishes claims of huge backlash to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show: “They love him”

Jay-Z has shared that he isn’t fully convinced that there is opposition to Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show.

• READ MORE: Bad Bunny – ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos’ review: ode to homeland is a new high for the Puerto Rican star

At the start of the month, the Puerto Rican rapper made headlines when he was announced as the headliner for next year’s Super Bowl, taking place in February.

He was asked to take on the coveted slot by rapper and Roc Nation head, Jay-Z, and the announcement came shortly after Bad Bunny shared that he would not be touring the US during his forthcoming world tour due to fears over ICE agents raiding his concerts.

The move divided a lot of Super Bowl fans, and has even led to right-wing organisation Turning Point USA – which was founded by the late Charlie Kirk – announcing plans for an ‘All American Halftime Show’, which will be held at the same time and date as NFL halftime show.

President Donald Trump called the move “crazy” and claimed he had “never heard of” the rapper, and one of his advisors confirmed that ICE would be present at the “shameful” concert.

US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem reiterated ICE’s presence at the concert, and a petition began circulating online urging for Bad Bunny to be dropped and country singer George Strait to be booked as a replacement. The latter has over 96,000 signatures at the time of writing.

Breaking: Turning Point USA Announces Alternate Super Bowl Halftime Show via @WestJournalism https://t.co/kET1qaIrC5

— Jerry Mulanax (@MulanaxJer29089) October 22, 2025

Despite all of that, it looks like Jay-Z isn’t fully convinced that the opposition to Bad Bunny’s slot at the Halftime Show is genuine. In footage shared by TMZ, the rapper and music mogul was seen signing memorabilia in New York, when someone asked him about the booking.

“We gotta talk Bad Bunny,” said a woman from behind the camera, to which he responded: “I don’t wanna talk about nothing.”

After asking “Why are people hating on him?”, the rapper replied: “They love him. Don’t let them fool you.”

Before then, Jay-Z – who serves as the NFL’s music strategist via his label Roc Nation’s partnership with the league – also defended Bad Bunny’s planned Spanish-only performance, reasoning: “What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honoured to have him on the world’s biggest stage.”

The NFL also defended Bad Bunny’s slot, with Commissioner Roger Goodell telling the press that the NFL were firm in their decision.

“He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world. That’s what we try to achieve,” he said. “It’s an important stage for us […] It’s an important element to the entertainment value. It’s carefully thought through.”

Jay-Z defends Bad Bunny being picked for the Super Bowl halftime show, saying Americans really love Benito.

@TMZ pic.twitter.com/aepAWV8HNS

— HOT 97 (@HOT97) October 28, 2025

Little is known about how the conflicting ‘All American Halftime Show’ is meant to turn out, but the website alleges that performers and programming will be revealed soon.

One thing is known though, performances will not be coming from folk legends Joan Baez and Neil Young, nor from Willie Nelson. An AI-generated post started circulating online recently, claiming that they were booked for the Turning Point USA gig.

A rep for Nelson outright dismissed the claims, saying the people who would think the musician would agree to the performance “obviously don’t know anything about Willie”. As well as that, it is also extremely unlikely Young or Baez would participate either.

Young, for instance, recently shared a new song criticising Trump called ‘Big Crime’, and Baez has spoken out against the politician numerous times – including comments about why it is important to protest against him.

As well as that, both joined Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, and performed songs live in opposition to the president.

Carlos Santana has also shut down viral rumours he opposed Bad Bunny’s booking for the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Bad Bunny – real name Benito Ocasio – took aim at the backlash while hosting Saturday Night Live, joking that “everyone is happy” about the concert, “even Fox News.”

In Spanish, he added that it was a milestone moment for “all the Latinos and Latinas in the whole world, and here in the United States, all the people who have worked to open doors, more than I have achieved, who have achieved everything, demonstrating that our way, our carrying of this country, no one can ever remove nor erase.”

He then wrapped up the monologue in English, and quipped: “And if you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”

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