GOP lawmakers called for FCC probe over Bad Bunny's halftime show. We broke down his lyrics

Following his 2026 Super Bowl halftime performance, Puerto Rican singer Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio – known professionally as Bad Bunny – became the subject of controversy after claims circulated online alleging the use of inappropriate language in his lyrics. The reaction quickly escalated, drawing the attention of several U.S. Representatives and sparking a debate over broadcast standards.

Political Fallout and Calls for Investigation

U.S. Rep. Randy Fine, a Republican from Florida, publicly criticized the performance on X (formerly Twitter), deeming it “illegal” and calling for an investigation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Fine shared screenshots purportedly translating lyrics from Bad Bunny’s song “Safaera,” though the content of those screenshots was not included in reports. He argued that similar language used in English would have resulted in immediate removal of the broadcast and substantial fines.

Reps. Andy Ogles of Tennessee and Mark Alford of Missouri echoed these concerns. Ogles claimed the performance’s lyrics “openly glorified sodomy and countless other unspeakable depravities.” Alford went further, suggesting the show “could be much worse than the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction” from the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show.

Did You Know? The 2004 Super Bowl halftime show incident involving Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake led to significant changes in broadcast decency policies and increased FCC scrutiny of live television events.

analysing the Lyrics

Reports indicate that Snopes examined Bad Bunny’s performance, taking into account the nuances of Puerto Rican Spanish, slang, and the conventions of reggaeton music. While acknowledging that the artist often pushes boundaries in his music, the analysis suggested whether the performance definitively crossed the line into obscenity remained a matter of debate.

A detailed breakdown of the lyrics revealed that Bad Bunny adjusted his delivery during the Super Bowl performance, toning down explicit language present in the original recordings of several songs. He employed techniques such as mumbling, substituting words, and remaining silent during particularly provocative lines. This approach allowed him to perform recognizable portions of his songs while mitigating the risk of violating broadcast standards.

Lyric Adjustments

Specific examples of lyric adjustments included:

In “Tití me Preguntó,” Bad Bunny mumbled a phrase containing an expletive for “penis.”
During “Safaera,” he muted portions of lyrics referencing sexual acts and drug use.
In “Yo perreo sola,” he only partially vocalized a potentially offensive word.
In “EoO” and “NUEVAYoL,” he altered or omitted lines referencing explicit content.
In “El Apagón,” he mumbled and avoided certain expletives.

Expert Insight: The situation highlights the inherent challenges of broadcasting live performances by artists known for pushing lyrical boundaries. The need to balance artistic expression with broadcast decency standards often requires careful negotiation and, as seen here, on-the-fly adjustments.

Potential Next Steps

The representatives’ calls for FCC investigation could lead to a review of the NFL and NBC’s broadcast practices. The FCC could potentially issue fines if it determines that the performance violated existing regulations regarding obscene, indecent, or profane content. However, the FCC’s enforcement of these regulations has varied over time, and the outcome of any investigation remains uncertain.

It is also possible that the controversy could spark further debate about the application of broadcast standards to musical performances, particularly those delivered in languages other than English. The differing interpretations of lyrical content and cultural context could become central to future discussions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What prompted the criticism of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance?

Claims spread online that Bad Bunny used foul language in his songs during the halftime show, leading to criticism from several U.S. Representatives.

Did Bad Bunny use the same lyrics during the Super Bowl performance as in his original songs?

Reports indicate that Bad Bunny adjusted his lyrics during the performance, toning down explicit language and, in some cases, mumbling or omitting provocative lines.

What action did Rep. Randy Fine request from the FCC?

Rep. Fine called for the FCC to investigate the performance and potentially issue fines and review the broadcast licenses of the NFL and NBC.

Given the complexities of interpreting lyrical content and the evolving landscape of broadcast standards, how do you think networks will navigate similar situations in future live performances?

GOP lawmakers called for FCC probe over Bad Bunny’s halftime show. We broke down his lyrics