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Super Bowl Halftime Performer Bad Bunny Sparks Outrage After Sitting During ‘God Bless America’ at Yankees Game

RNN Staff

Puerto Rican music star Bad Bunny is facing a wave of backlash after a viral video showed him remaining seated during the singing of “God Bless America” at a New York Yankees game Tuesday night.

The clip, shared with TMZ, captures the seventh-inning stretch moment where fans rise to honor the song—a tradition widely observed at Major League Baseball games since the September 11 attacks. While the U.S. Flag Code doesn’t require standing for “God Bless America,” it has become a gesture of unity and respect, especially at public sporting events. In the video, the crowd is heard singing “guide her,” part of the line “stand beside her and guide her,” while Bad Bunny, born Benito Ocasio, remains in his seat as those around him stand.

Critics immediately took to social media to condemn the Super Bowl LV halftime performer for what they viewed as a blatant sign of disrespect toward the country that made him a global star. Many pointed out that the moment felt especially disrespectful given the song’s symbolic connection to honoring first responders, veterans, and the victims of 9/11.

This isn’t the first time Ocasio has drawn fire for his political stances. He previously refused to tour in the United States, citing fears that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) might target his fans. In one Instagram video, Ocasio referred to ICE agents as “motherf*ers” and “sons of b**es,” fueling accusations that he harbors anti-American sentiment.

“There was the issue of — like, f***ing ICE could be outside,” he said in an interview. “And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.”

Since being announced as the headliner for Super Bowl LV’s halftime show, critics have slammed the NFL for choosing an artist whose songs are exclusively in Spanish and who has repeatedly mocked American traditions. During an appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” Bad Bunny opened in Spanish before taunting viewers in English: “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”

Calls to boycott the Super Bowl and demand a replacement performer have grown louder. Many fans say the halftime show should reflect American values and traditions, especially at the nation’s most-watched annual sporting event.

President Donald Trump weighed in after the Yankees game clip circulated, saying: “I never heard of him. I don’t know who he is, I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s crazy, and then they blame it on some promoter that they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

With the Super Bowl just months away, pressure is mounting on the NFL to reconsider its decision. Whether or not it will act remains to be seen—but for many Americans, Bad Bunny’s refusal to stand has already sent a message loud and clear.

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