Jay‑Z is standing strong behind Roc Nation’s decision to book Bad Bunny as the headliner for the February 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. The announcement triggered backlash from conservative circles upset about a non‑English performer taking center stage at America’s biggest football weekend, even though he is a U.S. citizen.
Speaking to TMZ, the music boss dropped a direct line to the doubters: “Don’t let them fool you.” He believes the Puerto Rican rapper’s reach is far greater than the critics acknowledge.
Meanwhile, Roger Goodell of the NFL noted that every major artist chosen for the show has faced criticism at some point, so this moment should not be surprising.
Despite those assurances, opposition groups are already organizing. Turning Point USA is planning its own “All-American Halftime Show,” pitching music in English.
On its online signup page, one music‑style option reads simply: “Anything in English.” Donald Trump weighed in too, calling the choice “crazy” and saying he didn’t know Bad Bunny or why he’d been given the gig.
Still, Jay‑Z remains unfazed. He’s backing his pick and remains confident that he’ll put on a dream show.
