Megyn Kelly Sparks Controversy Over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Performance
NEW YORK — Megyn Kelly, the former Fox News host known for her outspoken views, recently ignited a firestorm of debate following her remarks about Bad Bunny’s 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show. Speaking on Piers Morgan’s program, Piers Morgan Uncensored, Kelly expressed strong disapproval of the Puerto Rican artist’s decision to perform entirely in Spanish, calling it a “middle finger to the rest of America.”
Kelly’s comments come amid a broader cultural conversation about the role of diversity and representation in major national events. Bad Bunny, a global Latin music superstar, headlined the halftime show in a performance that embraced his heritage and the Spanish language, resonating with the country’s 40 million Spanish speakers. However, Kelly dismissed this demographic, emphasizing instead the 310 million Americans who do not speak Spanish.
“This is supposed to be a unifying event for the country. Not for the Latinos,” Kelly said, controversially pronouncing the word “Latinos” with an accent. She further argued against what she perceives as the politicization of the Super Bowl, stating, “We don’t need a Black national anthem, we don’t need a Spanish-speaking, non-English performer, and we don’t need an ICE or America hater featured as our primetime entertainment.”
Her reference to ICE, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, and the invocation of former President Trump’s election, framed her remarks within a broader narrative about immigration and cultural preservation. Kelly also inaccurately claimed that English is the official language of the United States, a point Piers Morgan corrected by noting that the U.S. has no official national language, a fact confirmed by the U.S. English Foundation.
Kelly warned against what she described as cultural erosion, citing Great Britain’s experience with immigration and cultural change. “Whether it’s Hispanic, whether it’s Muslim — it’s not happening in the United States of America,” she said, emphasizing that American football and its halftime show should remain “quintessentially American,” characterized by “good ole fashioned American apple pie,” meatloaf, fried chicken, and English-speaking performers.
The interview quickly went viral, sparking extensive online commentary. Social media users and cultural commentators challenged Kelly’s stance, pointing out the immigrant origins of the English language itself and criticizing her for what many see as exclusionary rhetoric. Discussions highlighted the irony of demanding “American” culture while dismissing the multicultural reality of the nation.
The Super Bowl halftime show has increasingly become a platform for diverse artists to showcase their cultural identities. The National Football League (NFL), which organizes the event, has in recent years featured performers from a variety of backgrounds, reflecting America’s evolving demographic landscape. The NFL’s commitment to inclusion is documented on its official site, NFL.com, which notes the league’s efforts to celebrate diversity both on and off the field.
Kelly’s remarks also reignited debates about language and national identity, topics often discussed by the U.S. Census Bureau, which tracks the nation’s linguistic diversity. According to recent census data, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States, underscoring the significance of Spanish-language media and entertainment to a substantial portion of the population.
As the conversation continues, the controversy surrounding Bad Bunny’s halftime show reflects broader tensions in American society about culture, inclusion, and what it means to be “quintessentially American.” While Kelly’s criticism resonates with some, many others see the performance as a celebration of the nation’s rich multicultural fabric rather than a divisive gesture.
The debate underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing tradition and diversity in a country that prides itself on both its heritage and its immigrant roots.
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