Washington, D.C. — November 2, 2025 — What began as a fiery Fox News monologue has erupted into one of the most divisive cultural clashes of the year.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the former Fox host turned Trump administration firebrand, has ignited national controversy after slamming the NFL’s decision to feature Bad Bunny as the 2026 Super Bowl halftime performer — and vowing to launch his own “All-American Halftime Show” in protest.

The 45-year-old conservative commentator delivered his tirade during an October 2 segment on Hannity, branding the NFL’s decision “a farce” and accusing the league of abandoning traditional American values.

“This is no longer America’s game — it’s a farce!” Hegseth thundered, his voice cutting through the studio din. “Enabling Bad Bunny — a man in a dress — to perform on the national stage is an insult to every loyal fan. If the NFL won’t rectify it, I will. I’ll develop The All-American Halftime Show — for genuine Americans who still love this country!”

The jab at Bad Bunny’s wardrobe — a reference to the Puerto Rican superstar’s gender-fluid fashion and unapologetic self-expression — instantly went viral. Known for challenging masculine norms and embracing queer-coded aesthetics, Bad Bunny has become both a global icon and a lightning rod for culture-war criticism.

Within hours, Hegseth’s four-minute rant spread across social media like wildfire. Clips from the broadcast hit X (formerly Twitter), where the hashtag #BoycottBadBunny trended alongside memes mocking the Secretary’s outrage. One viral post, showing Hegseth in camouflage with the caption “Secretary of Salt,” summed up the internet’s gleeful reaction.

A Culture War in Full Gear

Hegseth’s outburst didn’t happen in isolation. It tapped directly into the right-wing backlash that followed the NFL’s September 30 announcement naming Bad Bunny as the headline act for Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Within days, conservative figures piled on. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggested “ICE enforcement might be necessary” at the game, while Newsmax host Greg Kelly accused the NFL of promoting “an artist who hates America, hates President Trump, and hates the English language.”

Even Elon Musk briefly entered the fray, retweeting — then deleting — a viral fake quote attributed to him threatening to “end sponsorship” if Bad Bunny performed. Fact-checkers quickly debunked it, but not before it racked up millions of impressions.

By October 3, Hegseth had doubled down online. “The Super Bowl should unite us, not divide us with woke propaganda,” he posted to X. “Time for real patriots to step up.” His post received over 2.3 million views in less than 24 hours, spawning petitions calling for a country-style “All-American” halftime alternative featuring Toby Keith or Lee Greenwood — “minus the Spanish-singing puppet of the Left,” as one supporter put it.

The NFL Strikes Back

If Hegseth expected the NFL to backpedal, he miscalculated.

Hours later, Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a pointed statement that not only defended the league’s choice but turned the controversy into a masterclass in corporate trolling.

“The Super Bowl halftime show celebrates America’s diversity and global influence,” the statement read. “From Michael Jackson to Shakira and beyond, Bad Bunny embodies that same spirit. We stand by our artists and invite Secretary Hegseth to join us in Santa Clara — not to lecture, but to enjoy the game with 191 million fellow Americans.”

The kicker — a cheeky postscript — detonated across social media:

“P.S. Tickets are on sale now — bring your own dress code.”

The jab, aimed squarely at Hegseth’s “man in a dress” remark, was meme gold. Late-night hosts seized on it immediately. Jimmy Kimmel quipped, “Pete’s mad at a skirt? That’s rich coming from a guy who wears more camo than a duck blind.”

On The Daily Show, Ronny Chieng deadpanned: “He wants an All-American show? Fine — let’s book him to sing ‘Y.M.C.A.’ in fatigues.”

Bad Bunny Fires Back

Never one to stay silent, Bad Bunny used his October 4 Saturday Night Live monologue to clap back — with humor and flair. Dressed in a glittering poncho, he addressed the uproar directly:

“I’m doing the Super Bowl halftime, and I’m very happy. I think everyone is happy about it — even Fox News. If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”

The audience roared. Minutes later, Bunny broke into an a cappella rendition of “Callaíta,” a defiant wink to his critics.

Later in the episode, the show’s cold open parodied Hegseth himself — played by Colin Jost as a “deranged general” lecturing admirals about “woke threats,” interrupted by a cameo from James Austin Johnson’s Trump growling, “Daddy’s watching SNL — making sure they don’t go too mean on me.”

The sketch went viral overnight, reinforcing the narrative that Hegseth had become the butt of America’s latest culture-war punchline.

Fallout and Financial Boom

Ironically, the backlash only boosted the NFL’s bottom line. StubHub reported a 27% surge in ticket sales within 24 hours of the league’s statement, with Puerto Rican fans and international buyers snapping up Super Bowl packages. On TikTok, the hashtag #BadBunnyBowl surpassed 600 million views in two days.

Sponsors followed suit. Apple Music, which produces the halftime show, released a new promo celebrating Bunny’s booking:

“From the King of Pop to the King of Trap — Super Bowl evolves.”

Inside Fox, however, sources say Hegseth was less triumphant. “He expected support,” one insider told The Hill. “Instead, he got memes.” Reports suggest he’s now pitching his “All-American Halftime” concept to News Corp executives — “think Ted Nugent and Toby Keith, no Spanish lyrics, and plenty of flags,” according to one anonymous staffer.

Critics have called Hegseth’s outrage performative. The Atlantic’s Elaine Godfrey labeled it “MAGA’s latest grievance Olympics,” warning that such theatrics risk alienating younger, more diverse NFL viewers. Indeed, polling shows over 40% of NFL fans under 35 list Bad Bunny as one of their most-streamed artists — a demographic advertisers covet.

The Broader Meaning

As the countdown to February 2026 begins, the debate has transcended entertainment. Hegseth’s “All-American” crusade has become a metaphor for the nation’s ongoing identity struggle — patriotism vs. pluralism, nostalgia vs. progress.

In truth, both sides may get what they want.

Bad Bunny will command the biggest stage in American entertainment history, while Hegseth will continue to feed the culture-war machine that thrives on outrage.

And somewhere in the middle, the NFL will laugh all the way to the bank.

When asked about the controversy during an interview after SNL, Bad Bunny only smiled.

“The haters?” he said. “They tune in anyway. That’s the American way.”