Bad Bunny has sparked fresh criticism after he appeared to stay seated during “God Bless America” at the New York Yankees’ playoff game on Tuesday.
The news comes after the NFL’s controversial announcement last month that Bad Bunny will headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show.
Newsweek reached out to Bad Bunny’s representative via email for comment on Thursday.
Why It Matters
Bad Bunny’s decision to remain seated during “God Bless America” at the Yankees’ playoff’ game has ignited a debate about patriotism, artistic expression and the intersection of culture and politics at major public events. As the singer prepares to take the stage as the Super Bowl LV halftime show performer, the incident—and its aftermath—have taken on national significance, especially in a climate where public gestures during national anthems and patriotic songs regularly spark divided opinions.
Bad Bunny attends game three of the American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on Octobe…Read More | Al Bello/Getty Images
What To Know
The footage was taken during the seventh-inning stretch at Yankee Stadium during a playoff game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. While it appeared most attendees stood for “God Bless America,” Bad Bunny—whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio—remained seated with friends. TMZ published a photo and video seemingly showing Bad Bunny seated as the crowd sang, with fans around him standing and some with their hands over their hearts.
Tomi Lahren, a conservative commentator and host of Tomi Lahren Is Fearless, wrote in a post on X with 61,100 views and 3,600 likes: “Bad Bunny appears to stay seated during ‘God Bless America’ at Yankee Stadium… Yeah because he has a clear disdain for America. He’s an a-hole.”
While it’s considered tradition and a sign of respect to stand during the national anthem, people are divided on whether or not the same should be done for “God Bless America,” a song that was written by Irving Berlin in 1918 and made popular in the late 1930s, according to the Smithsonian.
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The Times of Northwest Indiana newspaper columnist Jerry Davich recently posed the question, which garnered hundreds of comments and “several angry exchanges between people with opposing ideologies,” he wrote on Facebook in August.
In his article, Davich said he attended the Woofstock 2025 event in Valparaiso, Indiana, and noticed some people standing during the tune. After asking readers their thoughts on the subject, he received a variety of answers ranging from: “H*** yes” to “It’s the MAGA fake anthem.”
Backlash Over Super Bowl Spot
The singer, who is of Puerto Rican origin, sparked a wave of backlash from conservative commentators and MAGA-aligned social media users who criticized the NFL for choosing an artist with no hits in the English language.
Bad Bunny has previously spoken publicly about U.S. immigration policy and his decision to skip touring the United States, citing concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity and the potential impact on his fans. He has also addressed U.S. political issues and made remarks perceived as critical toward President Donald Trump.
On Monday, Trump weighed in on Bad Bunny and the Super Bowl announcement, telling Newsmax’s Greg Kelly: “I never heard of him. I don’t know who he is, I don’t know why they’re doing it.”
He added: “It’s like, crazy, and then they blame it on some promoter that they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
During an appearance on Saturday Night Live, Bad Bunny reacted to the discourse with messages in both English and Spanish.
“I’m very excited to be doing the Super Bowl, and I know that people all around the world who love my music are also happy,” he said in English, before transitioning to Spanish: “Especially all the Latinos and Latinas across the world, and here, in the United States, all those who have worked to open doors. It’s more than an achievement for myself, it’s an achievement for all of us. It shows our footprint, and our contribution to this country, that no one will ever be able to take away or erase.”
“And if you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn,” the three-time Grammy Award winner teased.
What People Are Saying
The reaction to Bad Bunny’s choice has been sharply divided. Critics have interpreted his sitting as a sign of disrespect for the United States and its symbols.
JoeConchaTV shared in a message on X with 20,200 views and 1,200 likes: “Great job hiring this guy to do the Super Bowl halftime show. Seriously. You could not have picked a worse person to represent the league or the country.”
X user RiggoBlack said: “This is what the NFL, the team owners and [NFL commissioner] Roger Goodell picked to perform at the Super Bowl next year! Speaks volumes! Boycott the NFL! ESPN. FoxSports.”
However, some fans and commentators have defended Bad Bunny, emphasizing his right to personal expression.
LanaChulala wrote in a note with 25,600 views and over 1,200 likes: “It’s not the anthem, you are not required to stand as able for ‘God Bless America.’ Stop making it something it’s not.”
ShadrockGE shared on X: “He’s an American citizen, he’s not required to stand, it’s his First Amendment right.”
iamsam2407 chimed in: “So glad this came up. I hope people learn what the actual national anthem is compared to this song, and which one you’re supposed to put your hand over your heart for.”
