From Grammys to Super Bowl: Trump Goes After Pop Culture Icons
President Donald Trump has attacked two major U.S. entertainment events in back-to-back rants. This time, he targeted Trevor Noah for hosting the 2026 Grammys and Bad Bunny for headlining the Super Bowl LX halftime show.
Through posts on Truth Social, Trump branded both shows “unwatchable.” He also claimed they were an “affront to the greatness of America,” sparking fresh debate over culture, politics, and representation.
Trump Goes After Trevor Noah After the Grammys
Following the Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, Trump blasted the ceremony as “the worst” and dismissed it as “garbage.”
His sharpest words, however, went to host Trevor Noah. Trump called him “pathetic,” “talentless,” and a “lousy host.” He also compared Noah to late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel.
The outburst came after a joke Noah made during the broadcast. The joke linked Trump and former President Bill Clinton to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
During the segment, Noah delivered the line after Billie Eilish won Song of the Year. He joked that a Grammy is what every artist wants. He then added it was “almost as much as Trump wants Greenland,” before dropping the Epstein reference.
In response, Trump denied the claim. He insisted he never visited Epstein’s island. He called the remark “false and defamatory.” He also threatened to sue Noah, saying he would go after him “for plenty$.”
Trump Slams Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show
A week later, Trump shifted his focus to the Super Bowl. He attacked Bad Bunny’s halftime performance at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
In his posts, Trump called the show “absolutely terrible.” He also described it as “disgusting.” He claimed it ranked among the “worst, EVER!”
Much of his criticism focused on language. Trump complained that the performance was mostly in Spanish. “Nobody understands a word this guy is saying,” he wrote.
At the same time, Trump argued the show did not reflect American standards. He listed “Success, Creativity, or Excellence” as the benchmarks.
Trump also went after the dancing. He said it was inappropriate for children. In his view, the show amounted to a “slap in the face” to the country.
“Outsider” Claims Trigger Pushback
As the backlash grew, Trump allies joined in. Some pushed an “outsider” narrative about Bad Bunny.
Corey Lewandowski, a longtime Trump figure, claimed the artist “hates America.” That statement drew immediate criticism online.
In contrast, many pointed out a basic fact: Bad Bunny is Puerto Rican. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, meaning he is a U.S. citizen.
Supporters also defended the performance as cultural celebration. They said it represented Latino visibility on the biggest stage in American sports.
Notably, Bad Bunny’s set included major guest appearances. Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga joined him during the show.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
Politics and Pop Culture Collide Again
Beyond entertainment, politics played a major role in the controversy. Both Noah and Bad Bunny have criticized Trump in the past.
In fact, Bad Bunny made headlines at the Grammys. He used the stage to declare “ICE out,” a line widely read as a protest message.
Meanwhile, Trump promoted alternative programming. During the Super Bowl, he said he would watch Turning Point USA’s “All-American Halftime Show.”
The conservative broadcast featured Kid Rock. It reportedly drew about 4 million views, far below the official halftime audience.
Green Day Also Catches Heat
Trump’s criticism did not stop with Noah and Bad Bunny. He also attacked Green Day, who performed during the Super Bowl opening ceremonies.
In his remarks, he called the NFL’s selection a “terrible choice.” He also accused the band of promoting content that “sows hatred.”
The Bigger Picture
Overall, the two rants have reignited debate over Trump’s culture-war strategy. While supporters see blunt honesty, critics see political targeting.
Either way, the pattern is clear. Big entertainment stages remain part of America’s political battleground.
