Bad Bunny isn’t the first: Political moments that defined Super Bowl halftime
Bad Bunny’s halftime show has become a political debate even before it’s started, but if he makes a statement on stage, he certainly wouldn’t be the first.
This year’s Super Bowl LX halftime show has drawn unprecedented political attention for the NFL’s choice of performer. The selection of Bad Bunny was not a political statement by the league in and of itself. He’s one of the most popular musical artists in the world right now. But the fact that he’s not only Latino, but that all his songs are mostly in Spanish, has managed to royally piss off the radical right wingers.
On top of that, Bad Bunny is outspoken when it comes to politics. His music video for “NUEVAYoL,” from his album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, includes a satirical message using a voice that sounds like Donald Trump saying things he never actually said, essentially flipping the script to comment on anti-immigrant rhetoric. And on Sunday, Bad Bunny added fuel to the fire with his powerful “ICE out” remarks at the Grammys.
But Bad Bunny’s moment isn’t the first time the Super Bowl’s halftime spotlight crossed into political or cultural territory. Over the decades, what started as marching bands and patriotic pageantry has evolved into a global stage where artists, intentionally or otherwise, have sparked national conversations.
Here’s a look back at some of the most notable halftime moments that touched politics, social issues, or broader cultural meanings before 2026.
From Bono to “ICE Out”: When Super Bowl Halftime Took a Stand
U2 - Super Bowl XXXVI (2002)
One of the earliest and most overtly political halftime shows came in the aftermath of 9/11. Irish rock band U2 took the stage with a tribute to the victims of the attacks, ending with lead singer Bono revealing an American flag inside his jacket. It was a powerful moment as the names of the victims rolled behind the band on a big screen while they played “Where the Streets Have No Name”, a notably long song, which gave perspective to just how many lives were lost in the terrorist attacks. The performance was a deliberate emotional and patriotic gesture at a time when the nation was still mourning.
Beyoncé - Super Bowl 50 (2016)
She technically wasn’t the headliner that year, but Beyoncé’s performance of “Formation” at halftime during Super Bowl 50 took viewership into social commentary. Dressed in attire reminiscent of Black Panther Party aesthetics and performing with a troupe of dancers in bullet belts, the performance was widely interpreted as a statement on racial justice and empowerment. Conservative commentators blasted the show as anti‑police, while others celebrated its bold cultural resonance.
Lady Gaga - Super Bowl LI (2017)
Despite being outspoken against Donald Trump ahead of the game, Gaga avoided explicit political speeches in her Super Bowl halftime show. However, the 2017 show included songs with strong cultural roots. Opening with “God Bless America” and transitioning into “This Land Is Your Land”, a folk protest anthem historically used to critique exclusionary politics, many viewers read her song choices as subtle cultural commentary on unity and inclusion amid a polarized climate. During “Born This Way,” she explicitly included the lyric “transgendered life,” highlighting LGBTQ+ acceptance. Instead of explicitly attacking Trump, her performance was aimed at promoting unity during a politically divided time in the U.S
Jennifer Lopez & Shakira - Super Bowl LIV (2020)
The 2020 performance by J.Lo and Shakira carried social symbolism tied to Latinx identity. Lopez wore a Puerto Rican and American flag and emphasized the importance of Latin women on a huge cultural stage, noting the performance’s cultural significance in a time of heated immigration debates. Young dancers emerging from cage‑like formations also drew visual associations with ongoing immigration issues affecting children at the border.
Eminem - Super Bowl LVI (2022)
The halftime show headlined by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and Eminem included a brief but powerful political moment. Eminem took a knee during his set, echoing Colin Kaepernick’s protest against police brutality and racial inequality. While the NFL reportedly discouraged political statements, the gesture registered widely as symbolic of ongoing social debates.
Kendrick Lamar - Super Bowl LIX (2025)
Kendrick’s 2025 performance was laden with imagery and symbolism that many viewers interpreted as social commentary. From dancers forming a fragmented U.S. flag to counter-narrative visuals involving a stylized Uncle Sam figure, critics saw the show as exploring themes of identity and cultural appropriation. Outside the NFL’s control, an unplanned protester even revealed Sudanese and Palestinian flags onstage, sparking global debate during the performance itself.
Even when artists don’t deliver explicit political speeches, the interpretation of imagery, song choices, gestures, and staging can transform a halftime show into a platform for cultural discussion. These moments reflect how the Super Bowl, one of the most-watched television events in the world, has become more than a sports spectacle. It now acts as a mirror of cultural currents and societal tensions.
As the focus around ICE, immigration, and Bad Bunny’s performance this year demonstrates, even entertainment platforms can’t be separated entirely from their cultural moment, and especially when the world is watching.
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