RM A controversial statement from a former Trump aide has sparked outrage following the announcement that Bad Bunny will headline next year’s Super Bowl halftime show.

The Puerto Rican superstar was officially confirmed on Sunday (28 September) as the 2026 halftime performer. Having previously appeared alongside Jennifer Lopez and Shakira in 2020, Bad Bunny will now make history as the first Latin artist to headline the show solo. The news was widely celebrated by fans and the music industry alike.

In an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe on Monday, Bad Bunny said he planned to fully “embrace the moment.” He explained that his goal was to showcase Latin music and culture, adding that he intended to step onto the stage simply to enjoy himself and have fun.

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has nevertheless become a target of criticism from far-right commentators and some Republican figures.

Among the most alarming reactions came from Corey Lewandowski, a former campaign manager for Donald Trump and an adviser to the Department of Homeland Security. Appearing on Benny Johnson’s online program The Benny Show, Lewandowski delivered what many interpreted as a threatening message tied to immigration enforcement.

“There is no place in this country where people here illegally can find safe haven,” he said. “Not even the Super Bowl. We will locate you, detain you, and deport you.” He added that such actions reflect the current administration’s approach, which he claimed differs sharply from previous policies.

Lewandowski also accused Bad Bunny of “hating America” and, despite ongoing criticism of the U.S. government’s treatment of immigrants and transgender people, argued that the country should be striving for inclusivity rather than exclusion.

During the same appearance, Lewandowski stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would be active everywhere, including major public events like the Super Bowl. “We are enforcing the law everywhere to keep Americans safe,” he said, advising undocumented immigrants to leave the country voluntarily. He also labeled the NFL as “woke.”

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl appearance is currently expected to be his only performance in the United States in 2026. His Debí Tirar Más Fotos world tour begins in December 2025 and will run through July 2026, notably excluding any North American dates.

In a recent interview with i-D magazine, the artist explained that concerns over immigration enforcement played a role in that decision. “ICE could be outside,” he said, noting that the possibility had been a serious concern during tour planning.