SiriusXM host Megyn Kelly went head-to-head with Piers Morgan on Monday night over the National Football League’s decision to select Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl halftime performer, arguing the choice sent the wrong message to millions of Americans who support President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
During an appearance on “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” Morgan questioned why so many Americans were upset about Bad Bunny’s performance, noting that the artist’s show promoted themes of love and unity and praised white-majority countries in North and South America.
Kelly pushed back, insisting that the controversy was not about what unfolded during the halftime show itself, but about the NFL’s decision to feature Bad Bunny at all.
“It wasn’t about what he was actually going to do during the middle of the Super Bowl performance. It’s about him,” Kelly said. “It’s about him being chosen as the Super Bowl performer. Somebody who’s been an outspoken critic of, of course, the Trump administration and of America, and our ‘anti-immigration policies.’”
Kelly emphasized that Bad Bunny had criticized Trump’s immigration stance well before the most recent controversy surrounding ICE. “He doesn’t want illegals deported from this country. Well, too bad! Because the majority of Americans do want that and are not shy about pushing for it and that’s why Trump got elected,” she said.
Kelly also took issue with the performance being entirely in Spanish, arguing it contributed to cultural division. Morgan responded by pointing out that the United States does not have an official national language.
“We don’t need a black national anthem, we don’t need a Spanish speaking, non-English performing performer and we don’t need an ICE or America hater featured as our primetime entertainment,” Kelly said.
Morgan pressed her, asking what the official language of the United States is. Kelly responded that Americans speak English, though Morgan countered that there is no official national language.
The exchange escalated as Kelly argued that Americans are resisting what she described as cultural decline, comparing it to Great Britain, which she claimed had “ceded its culture” to radical Muslims. She said preserving American identity requires that the Super Bowl remain “quintessentially American,” including featuring English-speaking performers.
Morgan challenged her further, asking why she would want English as the national language if she believes England has declined culturally.
“We want something that we can all understand,” Kelly replied. She added that while she did not believe Bad Bunny used the performance itself to attack America, the lack of subtitles made it impossible for many viewers to fully understand his message. “They chose two America haters … We feature English-speaking performers at the quintessentially American event of the Super Bowl,” she said, citing past performers like Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.
Ahead of the halftime show, Bad Bunny had publicly criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Trump’s immigration enforcement policies. At the Grammy Awards on Feb. 1, he said, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say, ICE Out.” He has also avoided touring on the U.S. mainland over concerns about ICE raids at his concerts. In his song “Nuevayol,” he imitated Trump’s voice apologizing to immigrants.
Meanwhile, Turning Point USA hosted an alternative halftime show featuring Kid Rock and three country singers. The performances drew more than 25 million views despite not airing on X.
Morgan defended Bad Bunny’s right to free speech, but Kelly argued that the First Amendment does not entitle anyone to headline the Super Bowl. She said selecting him amid ongoing immigration debates amounted to a “middle finger” to Americans who support stricter enforcement.
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