Bad Bunny strolled onto the SNL stage with swagger and a purpose—he wasn’t just there to deliver laughs, but to clap back at the fiery backlash over his upcoming role as the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show headliner. Here’s how the chart-topping global superstar faced the critics, poked fun at Fox News, and made every “Latino and Latina” feel seen right from the famous Studio 8H stage.
SNL Monologue: Bad Bunny, Backlash, and Bilingual Brilliance
Bad Bunny kicked off the 51st season of SNL addressing the elephant in the room—the outcry from conservative voices after the NFL picked him for the big game’s halftime spotlight. With classic tongue-in-cheek charm, he teased, “I think everyone is happy about it. Even Fox News.” SNL’s team ratcheted up the fun with a montage that mashed up Fox News personalities comically gushing, “Bad Bunny is my favorite musician, and he should be the next president”—a perfect SNL-style roast of cable news outrage.
But the Puerto Rican phenomenon didn’t keep it all in English. Switching to Spanish, Bad Bunny delivered a sincere shoutout: “Especialmente todos los Latinos y Latinas en el mundo y aquí en los Estados Unidos, a todos los que han abierto puertas.” His bottom line? “More than just a win for myself, it’s a win for all of us. Our contributions in this country cannot be erased.” If that wasn’t clear, he ended with a laugh: “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.” The crowd roared—Spanish or English, the message was pride, solidarity, and a little side of sass.
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SNL, Bad Bunny, and the Backlash Breakdown
The controversy didn’t start on SNL. In the lead-up to the show, figures connected to President Trump and conservative outlets accused the NFL of making a “middle finger to America” by hiring a boldly Spanish-speaking, socially outspoken artist. Even Homeland Security officials made media rounds, vowing ICE would be present at the game. Bad Bunny, who has been open about skipping U.S. tour dates over ICE concerns, met the criticism head-on—by using SNL as a platform for humor and heart.
His monologue didn’t just address the haters. It was for fans everywhere—especially those feeling left out or misrepresented. With a wink, he challenged the audience to learn Spanish by Super Bowl Sunday—a mic drop moment that instantly went viral and told critics (and supporters) exactly where he stands: proud, unapologetic, and unbothered.
Whether you understood every word, or need to brush up on your Spanish before February, Bad Bunny’s SNL moment wasn’t just TV gold—it was a declaration. This halftime show will be for everyone, but especially for those who rarely see themselves center stage. SNL and Bad Bunny just sent a clear message: if you don’t get it, you’ve got four months to learn.
