The Super Bowl has always been more than a football game. It is a cultural lightning rod, a national event where entertainment, politics, identity, and spectacle collide in a way few other moments can match. But Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara delivered something even more unexpected than the scoreline between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots — a halftime performance by Bad Bunny that ignited celebration and controversy in equal measure.

What viewers didn’t immediately realize, however, was that tucked beneath all the noise, choreography, fireworks, and social commentary was a small but potent symbol: an American football the Puerto Rican superstar held under his arm, marked with a handwritten message the world didn’t fully see until his performance concluded.

The moment passed quickly. But once fans noticed the wording, social media erupted with curiosity. What did Bad Bunny intend to say? And who exactly was the message for?

As it turns out, the answer was both simple and striking — a declaration of unity delivered on one of the biggest stages in the U.S.

A Halftime Show Already Surrounded by Controversy

From the moment the NFL announced that Bad Bunny — real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — would headline the 2026 halftime show, the reaction was volatile.

For his millions of fans, it was a victory. For others, especially critics who objected to his Spanish-language music and outspoken views, it was a provocation.

Conservative organization Turning Point USA even produced their own competing halftime event, branding it the “All American Halftime Show,” featuring English-language performers like Kid Rock. They openly encouraged viewers to boycott the NFL’s official show, framing Bad Bunny as un-American, untraditional, or culturally divisive.

But if the NFL intended the show to signal a shift toward broader cultural representation — or simply to tap into the global success of one of the most streamed artists on Earth — the message was clear:
Bad Bunny would perform, and he would perform unapologetically.

And that, he did.

Spanish, Guests, Energy — and a Message Hidden in Plain Sight

From the first note, the 31-year-old superstar promised what he had teased for weeks: a celebration, a “huge party,” a performance overflowing with movement, expression, and cultural pride. He delivered.

The set featured a kaleidoscope of dancers holding flags from around the world. Guest appearances by Lady Gaga and Pedro Pascal surprised viewers and added new layers to the performance. Bad Bunny’s presence — calm yet commanding — instantly filled the stadium.

Yet, as the cameras swept across Levi’s Stadium, some viewers noticed something that wasn’t part of the original plan: the football cradled beneath his arm. Fans on social media quickly pointed out that it appeared to have text written across one of its panels.

At first, the cameras seemed to avoid zooming in. But in the final moments of the performance, Bad Bunny raised the ball slightly, allowing its message to be seen clearly:

“Together We Are America.”

The phrase struck viewers instantly.

Some embraced it as a warm message of unity — a call for inclusion that pushed back against the criticism surrounding his selection. Others saw it as political, perhaps even provocative in a divided cultural moment.

But the message didn’t end there.

Behind him, filling the massive LED screen at the rear of the stage, another sentence appeared in bold:

“The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”

In a country frequently pulled apart by cultural and political tensions, the timing was unmistakable.

Audience Reactions: Applause, Confusion, Debate

Immediately after the show, Twitter and Instagram lit up with questions. One viewer asked:

“Can anyone tell me what was written on the ball?? Because I KNOW it was political as heck.”

Others speculated whether the message was directed at:

Those boycotting the show

Critics who objected to an all-Spanish performance

Policymakers who speak about immigration and identity

The general American public

What became clear, however, was this:
Bad Bunny wanted the message to stand on its own.

He did not explain it during the show. He did not call out any specific groups. He simply let the words — and the reaction — speak for themselves.

Why the Message Hit So Hard

The United States is a nation with deep debates surrounding identity, language, culture, and belonging. Bad Bunny’s performance landed directly in that conversation.

For many viewers, his message on the football represented:

Pride in multicultural America

Recognition that Latinos are deeply woven into U.S. society

A reminder that “American” has never been a single language, race, or culture

An answer to critics who suggested he wasn’t “American enough” for the halftime show

For others, the message felt too pointed, too political, or too critical of traditional American norms.

But whether celebrated or criticized, the message was undeniably intentional. Bad Bunny rarely wastes symbolism.

The football — a quintessential American object — became his billboard.

The Political Fallout: Trump Responds

It didn’t take long for the performance to reach Former President Donald Trump, who reacted with strong disapproval. His response, posted online shortly after the game, criticized nearly every aspect of the show.

He declared:

“It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence.”

He continued:

“Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting… This ‘Show’ is just a ‘slap in the face’ to our Country…”

The statement went on to accuse the “Fake News Media” of praising the performance regardless of quality and ended with a complaint about the NFL’s kickoff rule.

His reaction added fuel to an already simmering fire, turning Bad Bunny’s halftime show into a headline not just in entertainment outlets but in political commentary circles as well.

But Why Bad Bunny? Why Now?

Many viewers unfamiliar with his global influence might question why the NFL chose him. But the answer lies in several truths:

1. He is one of the most streamed artists in the world.

Not just in the Spanish-speaking world — globally.

2. His cultural influence extends far beyond music.

Fashion, LGBTQ allyship, political commentary, film, activism.

3. His fanbase stretches across dozens of countries.

The U.S. Latino community alone — 60+ million strong — is reshaping American pop culture.

4. The Super Bowl is now an international event.

The halftime show increasingly reflects global demographics and interests.

Bad Bunny represents a shift — a recognition that American identity in 2026 includes global voices, multilingual expression, and diverse artistic perspectives.

Whether everyone agrees with that shift is another matter entirely.

“Together We Are America”: What the Message Really Means

Bad Bunny’s seven-word message can be interpreted in many ways, but its core themes seem clear:

Unity across cultures.

The idea that America — as a continent and as a nation — is interconnected.

Rejection of division.

A pushback against rhetoric that pits communities against one another.

Reclaiming identity.

Affirming that Latinos are fully part of the American cultural fabric.

An invitation.

A reminder that the Super Bowl — and the U.S. itself — belongs to all Americans, not just a select few.

The decision to place the message on a football — the centerpiece object of the sport — was a subtle but symbolic move. The object millions associate with “American culture” became a vessel for a broader definition of what America is today.

The Performative Power of the Halftime Stage

Few performance slots in entertainment carry the symbolic weight of the Super Bowl halftime show. It’s the rare moment when:

The entire country is watching

Global audiences tune in

Artists can deliver a message that reaches every demographic

Bad Bunny used that platform not for shock value, not for self-promotion, but for a statement about connection during a period where disconnection has become the norm.

His performance answered critics without naming them.
It celebrated culture without excluding anyone.
And it blended artistry with social commentary in a way that felt both purposeful and spontaneous.

Love vs. Hate: The Words on the Screen

While the football was the most-discussed symbol, the screen behind Bad Bunny displayed another phrase:

“The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”

In the context of political tension, culture wars, and growing divisions, the line was unmistakably intentional.

The message was not partisan.
It was not aimed at any particular group.
It was a universal truth — a belief Bad Bunny has expressed in past interviews, activism, and public statements.

Whether one agrees with him or not, the halftime show was not merely performance; it was messaging through art.

The Aftermath: Celebration, Outrage, and Everything In Between

Within hours, media outlets published conflicting opinions.

Supporters felt inspired.

They called the performance vibrant, inclusive, joyful, and emotionally rich.

Critics felt dismissed.

They argued it didn’t represent “traditional” American values.

Musicians praised it as a work of cultural fusion.

Many noted that Spanish-language performances are now part of mainstream American music.

Commentators debated the political implications.

Was the message political? Or simply human?

And swirling through all of this was the image of the football — the unexpected star of the show — with its handwritten reminder of unity.

Conclusion: A Super Bowl Moment That Will Be Remembered

Bad Bunny’s halftime show wasn’t simply a musical performance; it was a cultural statement, a celebration of diversity, and a challenge to conventional ideas of what “American” means.

His message — “Together We Are America” — may be simple, but its implications ripple outward:

Toward communities that feel unseen

Toward critics who feel culture is shifting too quickly

Toward young viewers who see their heritage on one of the world’s biggest stages

Toward a nation constantly renegotiating its identity

No matter where one stands politically, one truth is clear:

Bad Bunny made the Super Bowl halftime show impossible to ignore.

And sometimes, the messages delivered quietly — in this case, handwritten on a football — are the ones that echo the loudest.