Key Points
- Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee condemned Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show, calling it “pure smut.”
- Ogles has formally requested a congressional inquiry into the NFL and NBC over the broadcast.
- Rep. Mark Alford compared the performance to the 2004 Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction, calling it potentially more egregious.
- Former President Donald Trump also criticized the show, labeling it “one of the worst ever.”
- Despite backlash, the halftime performance drew over 128 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched in history.
Ogles Leads the Charge
House Republicans are demanding answers following Bad Bunny’s halftime show at Super Bowl LX. Rep. Andy Ogles spearheaded the criticism, arguing that the performance featured “overtly sexualized movements” including twerking, grinding, and pelvic thrusts.
In a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Ogles urged lawmakers to investigate the NFL and NBC, claiming the broadcast was indecent and unfit for public airwaves. “American culture will not be mocked or corrupted without consequence,” he wrote.
Comparisons to Past Controversies
Rep. Mark Alford of Missouri echoed Ogles’ concerns, likening the performance to the infamous 2004 Janet Jackson Super Bowl incident. He suggested Bad Bunny’s set could be considered even more controversial.
Alford also pointed to Turning Point USA’s alternative halftime show, which featured Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, as a “family-friendly” counterprogramming option.
Trump’s Criticism
Former President Donald Trump joined the chorus of disapproval, blasting the halftime show as “absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER!” He described it as “an affront to the Greatness of America.”
Audience Response
Despite political backlash, Bad Bunny’s performance—featuring elaborate stage designs, Puerto Rican cultural motifs, and surprise appearances by Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Cardi B, Karol G, and Pedro Pascal—was a massive ratings success. The broadcast attracted over 128 million viewers, cementing its place as one of the most-watched halftime shows in Super Bowl history.
What Happens Next?
The congressional inquiry request is now in the hands of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, though it remains unclear whether formal hearings will be scheduled. Meanwhile, the debate underscores the cultural divide over Super Bowl halftime entertainment and its role in shaping mainstream American pop culture.
