What Jon Caramanica has said about Super Bowl LX halftime show
3 quotes · 1 episode · Feb 1, 2026
Jon Caramanica, New York Times pop music critic and co-host of Popcast, has been quoted on Super Bowl LX halftime show 3 times in 1 episode of The Daily, most recently on February 1, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.
In their words
Caramanica argues that ratings and ad value outweigh political risk for the NFL, and few performers can draw a big enough audience.
“In the modern music era, there's a vanishingly small number of performers in any genre who Who can achieve that?”
The Daily: Bad Bunny Takes Over America (Feb 1, 2026) · Listen from 39:01
- Came true
Caramanica predicts Bad Bunny will not make a highly direct political statement within the halftime show itself, and sees the real opportunity in what he does afterward.
“I will say that I don't personally expect that level of directness within the confines of the show”
The Daily: Bad Bunny Takes Over America (Feb 1, 2026) · Listen from 42:42
Caramanica expects Bad Bunny to face a rough reception from his supporters if he makes no forceful statement about the Trump administration's treatment of Latinos.
“probably likely to be a rough ride for him if the morning after the Super Bowl we wake up and nothing of that sort has happened”
The Daily: Bad Bunny Takes Over America (Feb 1, 2026) · Listen from 47:02
Predictions
- Came true
Caramanica predicts Bad Bunny will not make a highly direct political statement within the halftime show itself, and sees the real opportunity in what he does afterward.
“I will say that I don't personally expect that level of directness within the confines of the show”
The Daily: Bad Bunny Takes Over America (Feb 1, 2026) · Listen from 42:42 · Super Bowl LX halftime show
At the February 8, 2026 Super Bowl LX halftime show, Bad Bunny did not name ICE or Trump. Unlike his 'ICE out' Grammy speech a week earlier, his messages were symbolic and about unity, such as a 'Together We Are America' football, a screen reading 'The only thing more powerful than hate is love,' and listing the countries of the Americas after 'God Bless America.' Some outlets still called the show politically bold, but the reporting agrees he avoided the direct style Caramanica said he didn't expect.
Sources: Bad Bunny didn't mention ICE at the Super Bowl. A different message was front and center. · Bad Bunny echoes Grammy message with Super Bowl halftime show: 'Together we are America' - Yahoo Sports · All the secret political messages in Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show explained · The Political References in Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show - Newsweek
Checked Oct 6, 2026
Episodes
Bad Bunny Takes Over AmericaThe Daily · Feb 1, 2026 · 49 min
Natalie Kitroeff talks with Popcast hosts Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli about Bad Bunny's rise, his politics, and his contentious Super Bowl halftime show.
Others on Super Bowl LX halftime show
- Joe Coscarelli · 1 quote
Jon Caramanica on other topics
- Bad Bunny · 2 quotes
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · 1 quote
- Reggaeton · 1 quote
- Music streaming · 1 quote