Fact Check: Did FCC fine Bad Bunny for violating broadcasting rules?

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA: Following Bad Bunny’s historic Super Bowl halftime show, a rumour has been circulating on social media platforms claiming that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has concluded its investigation and has fined the Puerto Rican rapper for violating broadcasting rules. Let us analyze the rumour and fact-check it.

Claim: Bad Bunny faces fine and ban from the FCC

According to the claim, Bad Bunny has been fined $15 million by the FCC and banned from performing for three years. 

The viral post that has been circulating on various social media platforms such as X, Facebook and Instagrm, came with a caption stating, “The FCC has concluded its investigation and found that Bad Bunny violated at least a dozen broadcasting rules.”

"After reviewing all of the lyrics, vulgar dance moves, and se*ual innuendo," said Commissioner Jon Raebro, "We've ruled that he'll be fined $15 million and restricted from performing live for three years."

“The ‘artist' says he plans to appeal the decision. There isn't an appeals process for FCC fines.”

Fact Check: False, the claim originated from a parody account

The claim, however, is false and originated from a parody Facebook account called ‘America’s Last Line of Defence.’ The account’s bio states itself as ‘Nothing on this page is real.’

Moreover, the FCC reviewed Bad Bunny’s 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show performance and found no violation after the investigation. 

Charles Gasparino of the New York Post said the FCC determined that the songs sung weren’t blue. They were, as Gasparino puts it, 'scrubbed of lyrics that normally include references to sex acts and genitalia.'

Commissioner Anna Gomez said she reviewed the transcripts of the performance after she learned the commission had requested them. She told the wire service that she found "no violation of our rules and no justification for harassing broadcasters over a standard live performance."

Halftime performance sparks complaints against Bad Bunny

After the halftime performance, claims circulated online that Bad Bunny used foul language in his songs, following which a letter was sent to the FCC calling for dramatic action, including fines and broadcast license reviews against the NFL and Bad Bunny. 

Outrage against the performance stems from translations of originals, not what was aired. Social media posts echo this but lack evidence of uncensored profanity. 

Since the performance was almost entirely in Spanish, it led non-speakers to rely on online translations of studio versions, which are explicit.

Furthermore, visual elements fueled perceptions of indecency, but these aren't 'foul language'. Full performance transcripts also reflect the aired versions, showing edits where explicit parts were removed or obscured.