The Super Bowl halftime show has always sparked talk, but this year’s event took things to a new level. On February 8, 2026, during Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny took the stage. Millions tuned in for his high-energy set, full of reggaeton beats and vibrant visuals.
But not everyone watched. Conservative commentator Nick Adams made headlines by skipping it entirely, blasting Bad Bunny on social media for being too “woke,” wearing dresses, and singing in Spanish. His posts went viral, fueling a heated debate that mixed music, politics, and culture. This story shows how a football game’s break turned into a national flashpoint.
The Announcement That Started It All
Back in late September 2025, the NFL revealed Bad Bunny as the halftime headliner, and reactions poured in right away. Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is one of the world’s top-streamed artists, with billions of listens on platforms like Spotify.
He has won multiple Grammys and packed stadiums globally. The league saw him as a way to boost their international appeal, especially among Latino fans. Executives highlighted his massive following as key to growing the game’s reach beyond the U.S.
But the choice didn’t sit well with everyone. Critics from conservative circles called it a misstep, arguing it alienated traditional viewers. President Donald Trump weighed in, labeling the performance “one of the worst ever” and saying it didn’t represent American standards. The backlash grew online, with calls for boycotts and alternative viewing options. Turning Point USA even hosted a rival halftime stream featuring Kid Rock, which drew significant attention from those skipping the official show.
Nick Adams jumped into the fray early. In posts from September, he questioned why the NFL picked someone he claimed most Americans hadn’t heard of, calling it a “slap in the face” to Trump supporters. He suggested Kid Rock or Jason Aldean as better fits, saying they would unite people instead of dividing them. As the game approached, his criticism ramped up, setting the stage for his full boycott.
Nick Adams’ Reasons for Tuning Out
Nick Adams, a best-selling author and Trump appointee, runs the account @NickAdamsinUSA on X, where he shares strong opinions on politics and culture. Born in Australia and now a naturalized U.S. citizen, he founded FLAG USA and often promotes patriotic themes. During the Super Bowl, he posted repeatedly about why he refused to watch Bad Bunny.
First, he called Bad Bunny “woke,” tying it to the artist’s support for LGBTQ+ issues and progressive causes. Adams shared a side-by-side comparison: Bad Bunny as a “B-lister” who supports those communities, versus Kid Rock with “traditional family values.” He also pointed to Bad Bunny’s fashion choices, like wearing dresses in photoshoots to challenge gender norms. Adams contrasted this with Kid Rock’s “blue jeans” style.
Language was another big issue. Adams complained that Bad Bunny sings mostly in Spanish, asking if “a single word of English” was spoken during the show. He argued this made the performance inaccessible to many Americans. Finally, he labeled Bad Bunny “anti-ICE,” referencing the singer’s past statements about fearing immigration raids at his concerts under strict policies. Adams even joked about checking the backup dancers’ status or starting deportations during the set.
Instead of watching, Adams tuned into the Kid Rock stream and claimed at a bar he used a universal remote to switch channels for others. He declared the alternative show “a million times better” and predicted the NFL would lose millions from the boycott.
What Happened During the Performance
Bad Bunny’s set lasted about 13 minutes and featured hits like “Tití Me Preguntó” and “Monaco,” with guest appearances and elaborate staging. He mixed Spanish lyrics with crowd interaction, drawing cheers from fans in the stadium. Reviews were mixed: Some praised the energy and representation for Latino culture, while others called it “awful” and out of place.
Adams didn’t hold back in real-time posts. He described the music as “vile” and “demonic,” even without understanding the words, and said it promoted negative themes. He claimed Bad Bunny appeals to “gangsters and thugs” like MS-13, while Kid Rock connects with “everyday Americans.” The NFL stuck by their choice, emphasizing global growth over the complaints. Despite the noise, viewership numbers showed the game still drew huge crowds, though the halftime ratings debate continues.
Reactions from Fans and Beyond
The story spread fast, with X users splitting into camps. Supporters of Bad Bunny mocked the critics, pointing out his 90 million monthly listeners compared to Kid Rock’s 5 million. One post called the backlash “weird” and said people should just skip it without drama. Others predicted it would be the most-watched Super Bowl ever, thanks to the controversy.
On the flip side, NFL legends and conservative voices blasted the league for prioritizing money over values. Posts warned of low ratings and celebrated the boycott’s success. The debate touched on bigger issues, like immigration and cultural shifts in America. Some saw it as a win for diversity, while others viewed it as exclusionary.
What do you think?