The history of beef between Donald Trump and Bad Bunny: Super Bowl Halftime Show revives years of political and cultural beef

The tension between Donald Trump and Bad Bunny, two towering figures from vastly different worlds, is once again grabbing headlines. After the former president told Newsmax that he had “never heard” of the Puerto Rican megastar, the internet lit up with reactions, many pointing out that the artist has long been outspoken about Trump’s immigration policies and Puerto Rico’s struggles under his leadership.During an Oct. 6 interview with Newsmax host Greg Kelly, Donald Trump appeared visibly annoyed when asked about Bad Bunny being named the headliner for the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. “I never heard of him. I don't know who he is, I don't know why they're doing it, it's like crazy,” Trump said, calling the NFL’s decision “absolutely ridiculous.”Kelly added fuel to the fire by suggesting that Bad Bunny “hates ICE” and labels “everything he doesn’t like as racism,” prompting some conservatives to question whether fans should boycott the event. But for millions of global listeners, Bad Bunny’s artistry transcends politics. The reggaeton star, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was Spotify’s most-streamed artist for three consecutive years and continues to dominate charts with his latest album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, a vibrant homage to Puerto Rican identity.This isn’t the first time Bad Bunny and Trump have clashed, directly or indirectly. The singer has repeatedly voiced frustration with U.S. immigration crackdowns and refused to tour in the States, citing concerns about ICE presence. “There were many reasons why I didn't show up in the U.S., and none of them were out of hate,” he told I-D magazine. “... But there was the issue of—like, (expletive) ICE could be outside (my concert).”He’s also used his art to make statements. In the video for “Nuevayol,” a voice resembling Trump’s delivers a mock apology: “I made a mistake. I want to apologize to the immigrants in America.” The imagery, including a Puerto Rican flag draped over the Statue of Liberty, left little doubt about its message.Following the devastating hurricanes in Puerto Rico during Trump’s presidency, Bad Bunny condemned the administration’s response, even wearing a shirt reading, “¿Eres Twitero o Presidente?” (“Are You a Tweeter or President?”).Also Read: Speaker Mike Johnson accuses NFL of turning ‘anti-American’ after picking Bad Bunny for Super Bowl halftime showWhile Trump may claim ignorance, their history shows otherwise. Bad Bunny has long stood as a cultural counterpoint to Trump’s rhetoric and as Super Bowl 2026 approaches, their unlikely rivalry has once again become a symbol of the clash between celebrity, politics, and power.