In a recent update that has stirred emotions, one of Donald Trump’s long-time advisers revealed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will have agents on-site for the upcoming Super Bowl in 2026 at Santa Clara. This massive sporting event will see global sensation Bad Bunny performing as the halftime show headliner.
Corey Lewandowski, formerly a campaign manager for Trump, emphasized during his appearance on The Benny Show that there wouldn’t be a safe space for unauthorized immigrants during the event. He declared, “We will find you, apprehend you, and deport you,” asserting that the current administration is serious about its enforcement policies.
He also took a jab at the NFL for choosing Bad Bunny, labeling it as “shameful” to feature someone who allegedly has negative views about America. According to Lewandowski, “We should aim to be inclusive, not exclusive,” suggesting that there are many other entertainers that could unite rather than divide the audience.
Bad Bunny, known off-stage as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has previously shared his anxiety around stringent immigration enforcement and voiced concerns about performing under such conditions.
In interviews, he explained that part of the reasoning for not including the U.S. on his upcoming world tour, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, is due to worries over ICE potentially being present at his concerts. “There were numerous reasons I didn’t perform in the U.S., none of which stemmed from hate—I’ve performed there many times,” he mentioned in his talk with i-D magazine last month.
His forthcoming halftime performance during Super Bowl LX, officially announced in collaboration with Apple Music and the NFL, will be his only American concert next year, making it a highly anticipated event.
Fans are split regarding his Super Bowl gig. While some express disappointment due to his past comments about ICE, others view this as a bold statement on a globally significant platform.
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly welcomed Bad Bunny to the Super Bowl, tweeting, “California is excited to welcome you to Super Bowl LX.”
The highly anticipated game is set for February 8, 2026, marking the Bay Area’s first Super Bowl since 2016.
