Bad Bunny tells critics 'you have four months to learn' Spanish amid Super Bowl backlash

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: During the season 51 premiere of 'Saturday Night Live' on October 4, 2025, Bad Bunny used his opening monologue to address backlash over his upcoming 2026 Super Bowl halftime show.

The Puerto Rican superstar told critics they had “four months to learn” Spanish if they couldn’t follow his remarks, taking aim at those demanding English performances.

Bad Bunny leans into backlash with biting humor

Bad Bunny delivered his monologue with confident swagger. After introducing his Super Bowl announcement and a montage of pundits, he switched to Spanish and said, “Especially all the Latinos and Latinas … our footprints and contribution in this country, no one will ever be able to take that away or erase it.”

Pivoting back to English, he quipped, “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”

Bad Bunny pokes fun at Fox News

He also mocked the network’s coverage, opening with, “I’m very, very happy. And I think everybody is happy about it ... even Fox News!”

“I’m really excited to be doing the Super Bowl, and I know that people all around the world who love my music are also happy,” he added.

Corey Lewandowsky fuels ICE controversy

The halftime show has stirred controversy over immigration enforcement. Donald Trump's advisor, Corey Lewandowsky, said ICE will be present at the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

In an interview on Benny Johnson's YouTube channel on October 2, Lewandowsky said, “ICE will have enforcement at the Super Bowl for the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime."

Criticizing the selection, he added, “It’s so shameful that they’ve decided to pick somebody who seems to hate America so much to represent them at the Halftime Show. We should be trying to be inclusive and not exclusive. There are plenty of great bands and entertainment people out there who could be playing at that show that would be bringing people together and not separating them.”

Critics demanded English-only performances

Some backlash came from conservative commentators and former public figures, arguing that a Super Bowl halftime show should feature English performances.

Danica Patrick slammed the NFL’s choice, tweeting, “No songs in English should not be allowed at one of America’s highest rated television events of the year… not just for sports."

Bad Bunny announces 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour'

Earlier this year, Bad Bunny announced his 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour.' The show, starting in the Dominican Republic on November 21, has no stops in North America.

In an interview with i-D Magazine on September 10, Bad Bunny said this was due to potential ICE raids. He added that while he had performed in the US before, he and his team were concerned this time.