Americans Demand Bad Bunny’s Deportation Over Refusal to Sing in English at Super Bowl Halftime

At 02:47 PM +07 on Thursday, October 16, 2025, a new wave of controversy is crashing over the Super Bowl 2026 halftime show as a vocal segment of Americans calls for Bad Bunny’s deportation if he refuses to sing in English. The Puerto Rican reggaeton superstar, slated to headline the February 8, 2026, performance, has faced mounting criticism for planning a set primarily in Spanish, with his latest X post teasing a medley of “Titi Me Preguntó” and “Dákiti” featuring surprise guests. The backlash, fueled by conservative voices and amplified on social media, frames his linguistic choice as a rejection of American identity, igniting a heated debate over cultural expectations, immigration, and the NFL’s global stage.

The uproar began gaining traction after Bad Bunny’s October 15 video, where he defiantly declared, “This is my kingdom,” dismissing critics who question his “American enough” credentials. His refusal to pivot to English, despite his U.S. citizenship as a Puerto Rican, has struck a nerve with a faction demanding assimilation. On X, #DeportBadBunny trended with over 300,000 posts by midday, featuring calls like, “If he won’t sing in English, ship him back—Super Bowl’s for Americans!” Petition platforms saw a surge, with a Change.org campaign titled “English Only at the Super Bowl” collecting 180,000 signatures in 24 hours. Supporters, including Turning Point USA’s Erika Kirk, argue, “The halftime show should reflect our language and heritage—Spanish dominance is a slap in the face to taxpayers funding this event.”

The NFL, which drew 123.4 million viewers last year, finds itself in a bind. Bad Bunny’s global appeal—45 million monthly Spotify listeners and a $174 million U.S. tour haul in 2024—has boosted ticket sales by 20% since the controversy escalated, suggesting a potential record audience. Yet, pressure mounts from sponsors like Pepsi and Bud Light, whose $60 million ad buys could waver if the boycott gains steam. The league’s statement, “Our halftime celebrates diverse talent,” has done little to quell the storm, with rumors of internal talks to nudge Bad Bunny toward a bilingual set—rumors his team swiftly denied.

Conservative leaders have seized the moment. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted, “Bad Bunny’s refusal to sing in English proves he doesn’t belong—deportation’s the answer if he won’t respect our culture.” Her stance aligns with the “America First” rhetoric of President Trump’s administration, which has deported 500,000 since January 2025 under “Operation Secure Borders.” The deportation demand, while legally dubious given Bad Bunny’s U.S. citizenship, taps into broader immigration tensions, with some linking it to the “Sharia-Free America Act” push. Fox News pundits like Tucker Carlson echoed the sentiment, framing it as a “cultural invasion,” while polls from Rasmussen Reports (October 15-16) showed 55% of Republicans favoring an English-only mandate, though only 29% of independents agree.

Pushback has been fierce. Fans under #BadBunnyKing flooded X with 1.8 million posts, arguing, “Puerto Rico is America—his Spanish is our strength.” The NFL star who defended him earlier this week reinforced the point: “Forcing English erases diversity—America’s redefined by voices like his.” Progressive voices, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, called the deportation talk “xenophobic nonsense,” noting Puerto Ricans’ U.S. status since 1898. Social media memes mocked the outrage—Bad Bunny as a crowned king dodging “English police” tickets—while TikTok dances to his hits hit 5 million views, showcasing his cultural pull.

The practical reality complicates the rhetoric. Deporting a U.S. citizen is unconstitutional, and Bad Bunny’s team has doubled down, promising a “100% authentic” performance. Legal experts, like UCLA’s Erwin Chemerinsky, dismissed the calls as “political theater,” predicting lawsuits if enforced. Yet, the noise persists, with TPUSA’s rival “All American Halftime Show” gaining 270,000 petition signatures, teasing a country lineup to counter Bad Bunny’s Latin flair.

At 02:47 PM +07, the internet burns with the clash. This isn’t just about language—it’s a proxy for America’s identity crisis. Will Bad Bunny’s Spanish beats unite or divide the Super Bowl audience? With deportation demands ringing hollow legally, the real battle is cultural—and Bad Bunny, loud and proud, seems poised to reign supreme, English or not.