Ahead of the recent Super Bowl halftime show, former President Barack Obama offered a lighthearted show of support for headliner Bad Bunny. In a social media post, a clip highlighted the Puerto Rican artist’s repeated appearances on Obama’s annual favorite music lists. The accompanying caption, referencing “one natural-born US citizen to another,” was widely interpreted as a subtle jab at political figures who have historically questioned Obama’s own birthplace.
The performance itself became a focal point for broader cultural and political commentary. Bad Bunny’s set prominently featured tributes to his Puerto Rican heritage and the wider Latin American community, while also incorporating American symbolism. At one point, the artist directly addressed the camera with a message of “God bless America,” and flags representing both the United States and Puerto Rico were displayed.
This celebration of dual identity drew criticism from some quarters, reigniting debates about national identity and language. Critics of the performance, including former President Donald Trump, disparaged the act as unrepresentative of American values and criticized the use of Spanish. These remarks were met with counter-criticism, as observers noted that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens by birth.
The contrasting reactions to the halftime show underscored ongoing divisions regarding culture, patriotism, and inclusion in the public sphere. The event served not only as musical entertainment but also as a platform for symbolic statements about national belonging.