GOP Lawmakers Demand Inquiry into Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Show

A group of Republican congressmen has called for an investigation into Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny following his halftime performance at Super Bowl LX. They have described the show as “explicit and indecent,” raising concerns similar to those expressed about previous halftime shows featuring Latina stars Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in 2020.

On February 12, 2023, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) sent a letter to the House of Energy and Commerce Committee, urging a formal inquiry into the approval processes of the NFL and NBC Universal regarding the halftime show. Ogles characterized Bad Bunny’s performance as “pure smut” on social media, alleging that the lyrics glorified acts he deemed inappropriate for public broadcast. He stated, “These flagrant, indecent acts are illegal to be displayed on public airways.”

Concerns were echoed by Reps. Randy Fine (R-FL) and Mark Alford (R-MO), who suggested that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should investigate the matter. Fine labeled the performance as “disgusting” and “illegal,” referring to it as “pornographic filth.” The backlash started even before the show aired, with calls from far-right politicians for alternative performers, including country music artists. In a notable protest, musician Kid Rock headlined an alternative halftime show organized by Turning Point USA, a conservative group led by Charlie Kirk, on YouTube.

Criticism of halftime performances has been a recurring theme, particularly for shows featuring prominent female artists. The complaints lodged against Bad Bunny mirror those aimed at Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in 2020, when critics described their performance as inappropriate and overly sexualized. One congressman at that time claimed the show was “100 percent about sex and not even remotely family-friendly.”

Despite the controversy, Bad Bunny’s halftime performance captivated a substantial audience, averaging 128.2 million viewers and ranking as the fourth-most-watched halftime show in history. It follows the performances of Kendrick Lamar in 2022, Michael Jackson in 1993, and Usher in 2024. In contrast, Kid Rock’s alternative show attracted only 6.1 million views.

The differing responses to the performances highlight a consistent pattern in public reactions to sexual content in entertainment. For example, during the Maroon 5 halftime show in 2019, only 50 complaints were filed after lead singer Adam Levine removed his shirt on stage. This disparity raises questions about the standards applied to performances by different artists and genres.

As the debate continues, the inquiry into Bad Bunny’s performance may pave the way for broader discussions around censorship, artistic expression, and the expectations of family-friendly entertainment during major events like the Super Bowl.