Stephen A. Smith Defends Bad Bunny After Trump’s Critique

ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith expressed his thoughts on the backlash surrounding Bad Bunny‘s Spanish-language Super Bowl halftime performance during his SiriusXM show on February 4, 2026. Smith found himself partially aligned with Donald Trump, who criticized the performance, while still addressing the broader implications of the former president’s remarks.

Smith acknowledged that Trump’s point about language barriers was valid, stating, “The flip side to it is that it was primarily in Spanish. And if most people don’t understand the lyrics because you’re speaking it in what they deem to be a foreign language, that is a legitimate point that the president made.” However, he emphasized that this observation did not warrant the overall negativity expressed by Trump regarding the performance.

The sports commentator highlighted that while many Americans might not have understood the lyrics, the NFL’s decision to include Bad Bunny was a strategic move aimed at enhancing its global brand. “The NFL is basically trying to expand its brand beyond the corridors of America. That’s what they’re trying to do,” Smith explained. He noted that both Jay-Z and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell collaborated to make this decision, which he deemed a sound business strategy.

According to Smith, the NFL estimates that over 39 million Latino fans reside in the United States, with significant followings in countries such as Mexico and Brazil. He pointed out that this performance aligns with the league’s ongoing efforts to host games in cities like Mexico City, São Paulo, Madrid, Dublin, Germany, France, and England. This international approach is not merely about diversifying entertainment during the Super Bowl; it represents a calculated effort to tap into lucrative markets.

Smith estimated that the NFL could potentially secure media rights deals worth as much as $500 billion through these efforts. He noted that the league’s strategy includes appealing to new audiences, even if it risks alienating some traditional American viewers. “While it might alienate some of our American viewers right now, we already got them. They already love football. They’re not going anywhere when it comes to watching the games. We need to appeal to a newer broad-based audience,” Smith added.

In his critique of Trump’s overall stance, Smith pointed out the former president’s perceived hypocrisy regarding international business dealings. “The hypocrisy, it seems that there’s hypocrisy on the part of the president because he don’t mind doing business overseas. He don’t mind doing business in the Middle East,” he remarked.

This commentary has sparked discussions about the intersection of culture, sports, and business in today’s global landscape. As the NFL continues to expand its reach, the response to Bad Bunny’s performance illustrates the complexities of catering to a diverse and evolving audience.