Bad Bunny might not have been expecting to spark a congressional meltdown when he hit the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII halftime stage, but here we are. Just hours after the Puerto Rican sensation dazzled 135 million viewers with his fierce performance, U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee took a break from, well, doing literally anything useful, to declare that Bad Bunny’s show was “gay pornography.” Yes, really. You can’t make this stuff up.
RELATED: Blink-and-You-Miss-It Moments From Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Takeover
Yes, really. In the world of post-Super Bowl hot takes, this one had everything: dance moves, outrage, and a heavy dose of homophobia. And while most of us were still basking in the afterglow of what can only be described as a glittering display of Latin pop magnificence, Ogles was calling for an investigation.
From Party to Panic in 24 Hours
Let’s set the stage. Confetti, still clinging to the turf, as 135 million viewers watched Bad Bunny serve up his set of realness, a medley of Spanish hits, grinding choreography, and twerking so crisp you’d think it was rehearsed on Broadway. Then came Monday morning. And, boom, Ogles was already typing furiously on Facebook, describing the performance as “gay pornography” and demanding Congress investigate the NFL for airing such “pure smut.”
Let’s be clear: There were no explicit scenes. No steamy makeout sessions. No intimate encounters on stage. There was, however, a spectacular display of queer visibility that was apparently too much for Ogles to handle. He could’ve just grabbed a fan and cooled off, but no—he decided to dig in, claiming that the NFL and NBC knew exactly what they were doing by allowing “explicit displays of gay sexual acts” on national television. Yeah, okay, Andy.
Is Bad Bunny Gay?
Here’s the million-dollar question: Is Bad Bunny gay? Well, not exactly. Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has long been an ally of the LGBTQ+ community and has shattered traditional ideas of masculinity within Latin urban music. His fashion choices—skirts, nail polish, and makeup—along with his vocal support for LGBTQ+ rights, have led many to wonder about his own sexuality.
However, Bad Bunny has openly discussed how sexuality doesn’t define him, stating that at the moment, he identifies as heterosexual and is attracted to women. But he’s also made it clear that he’s open to the fluidity of sexuality, saying, “I don’t know if in 20 years I will like a man. But at the moment, I am heterosexual and I like women.” So, while he may not label himself as gay, he certainly has a deep connection to the LGBTQ+ community and embraces the fluidity of identity.
But here’s the thing—we need to stop asking this question at every turn. Does it really matter? Can’t we just appreciate Bad Bunny for who he is, without having to constantly box him in or make his sexual identity a spectacle? Maybe it’s time to let people be who they are, however they choose to express themselves, without turning it into a media circus. His contribution to pop culture, his advocacy, and his artistry stand on their own. Sexuality is fluid, labels are limiting, and frankly, the world would be a better place if we stopped trying to reduce everyone to neat little boxes.
The Heart of the Outrage: Queer Visibility vs. Moral Panic
Here’s the deal: there were no sex acts or nudity on that stage, just some stunning choreography and fabulous Latin flair. But for Ogles, the mere sight of a same-sex couple dancing in unison with opposite-sex pairs was apparently more than he could bear. It wasn’t about the performance itself; it was about who was being represented. And for some reason, a same-sex couple dancing on stage felt like an affront to everything he holds dear. Who knew that queer love was the real threat to “American families”?
@coffeefrijolito Period! #badbunny #superbowl #halftimeshow #fyp
In a letter to House Energy and Commerce Committee chair Brett Guthrie, Ogles insisted the NFL and NBCUniversal must’ve known what was coming. He pointed to rehearsal protocols, pre-submitted production elements, and broadcast delay systems as evidence that the “smut” was carefully planned. He even doubled down on the accusation that this was “illegal” to display on public airwaves. But what’s “illegal” about a choreographed dance? Is the Congressman’s idea of a family-friendly Super Bowl just a bunch of beige jerseys and commercials for car insurance?
A Larger Culture War: Bad Bunny and the Politics of Representation
Ogles wasn’t alone in his outrage. For months, conservative commentators had bristled at the idea of Bad Bunny headlining. Sure, some of it was about his outspoken support for LGBTQ+ rights, but a lot of it had to do with his unapologetic Latinidad and the fact that the performance was going to be in Spanish. As one of the most influential Latin artists of his generation, Bad Bunny has long been a lightning rod for controversy—and apparently, that makes him a target.
@nssmagazine Bad Bunny shouts out America at the end of this Super Bowl halftime show performance 🌎 #superbowl #halftimeshow #badbunny #superbowlhalftimeshow2026
Meanwhile, Turning Point USA, the conservative group that organized an “All-American Halftime Show” as counterprogramming, had a little irony to offer. Their stream drew millions of viewers, despite being associated with Kid Rock, a man whose back catalog includes a song that’s been heavily criticized for its age-inappropriate lyrics about underage girls. But sure, let’s get mad about Bad Bunny and the gay twerking.
The NFL’s Silence Speaks Volumes
While Ogles was busy crafting his moral panic, the NFL and NBC were—surprise, surprise—radio silent. They didn’t respond to the backlash or defend the performance’s inclusivity. Honestly, it says everything about the state of things when the silence of corporate America speaks louder than the words of a guy who still believes queerness is “depraved.” As for Bad Bunny, he’s been pretty clear about how he feels: labels don’t define him. In an interview with Los Angeles Times, he said, “I don’t know if in 20 years I will like a man. But at the moment, I am heterosexual and I like women.” But hey, we’re all about fluidity, right?
Representation as ‘Smut’: A Reframing of Reality
In the grand scheme of things, this is less about the Super Bowl halftime show and more about the way queer representation is being framed in the public eye. The performance was a reflection of what modern pop culture looks like: diverse, unapologetically sexual, and proudly queer. But for some, that visibility is a problem. It seems like every time a queer person takes up space in mainstream culture, someone has to label it as “smut” or “corrupting the youth.” Sorry, Ogles, but queer folks have been part of this country—and the world—forever. If our existence makes you uncomfortable, maybe it’s time for self-reflection.
In the end, Bad Bunny’s performance was everything it was meant to be: a celebration of culture, music, and, yes, queer visibility. The real question, however, is why some people are so determined to turn that celebration into something shameful. As the world evolves and people embrace their true selves, the only thing “threatening” here is the idea that some people can’t handle it.
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Called “Gay Porn” by Congressman
once again, ogles is trying to distract people from the epstein files