Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) is set to make history as the first primarily Spanish-language artist to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday.
But not everybody is happy about his selection. And it’s not completely about the artist’s warning that Americans need to learn Spanish to enjoy the show.
The performance, which we’ll see tonight during the matchup between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, has generated massive excitement among fans of Latin music. There is no doubt about it.
But it has also received significant backlash from conservative circles. The President of the United States is among the biggest critics. He’s not the only one, however.
Sage Steele Blasts NFL Pick: Bad Bunny ‘Leads with Hate’ in Historic Spanish-Language Performance
Former ESPN anchor Sage Steele, now a frequent Fox News contributor, appeared on The Faulkner Focus to voice strong criticism of the NFL‘s decision to feature Bad Bunny.
Steele emphasized that her concerns are not rooted in his Puerto Rican heritage or the fact that he is an American citizen who should maybe show a little more love for the U.S.
“When he says, ‘I’m not going to speak your language, you have four months to learn it,’ are you kidding me?” Steele fumed. “It would never be acceptable in their country.”
“That’s the disturbing thing,” she continued. “Not that he’s from Puerto Rico. That he says he hates us, he’s not going to take our money — but now he’s doing it.”
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Steele was referencing comments by Bad Bunny saying he would not tour in the United States due to fears that his fans might get deported if they are found to be criminal illegal aliens.
Bunny criticized law enforcement efforts to clean up the streets of criminals at his concerts.
“There was the issue of — like, (expletive) ICE could be outside my concert,” he said in an interview with Variety. “It was something we were very concerned about.”
Now, however, he’s glad to take Americans’ money through the NFL in San Francisco.
“I want to point this one thing out,” Steele added. “This isn’t about someone who is not American — and Bad Bunny is American — but it isn’t about that.”
“This is about, as an artist, you lead with hate,” she continued. “And that is what Bad Bunny has done from day one.”