The growing backlash over Bad Bunny’s selection as the headliner for the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show has turned into one of the biggest culture clashes of the year. But in the midst of the criticism, a surprising voice has come forward with a blistering defense of the Puerto Rican superstar: comedian and political commentator Jon Stewart.

On the latest episode of The Daily Show, Stewart devoted a lengthy segment to the controversy. As clips played of politicians and commentators dismissing Bad Bunny as “un-American” or “inappropriate” for the country’s biggest stage, Stewart leaned back in his chair, visibly unimpressed.

“Let me get this straight,” Stewart began, his tone sharp. “We live in a country where the Super Bowl has hosted Coldplay—a band from Britain, for God’s sake—and Shakira from Colombia. Nobody rioted in the streets then. But suddenly, when a guy from Puerto Rico, which last time I checked is part of the United States, gets the gig, it’s the end of the Republic? Please.”

The audience erupted in applause, but Stewart wasn’t finished. He turned directly to the camera, his voice lowering into a serious register. “Benito,” he said, using Bad Bunny’s real first name, “you don’t need their permission to belong here. You already do. You’ve been carrying the sound, the language, the heartbeat of millions who are just as American as anyone else chanting ‘U-S-A’ in the stands.”

Stewart’s defense came after weeks of escalating criticism, including remarks from former President Donald Trump, who dismissed the decision as “absolutely ridiculous” and claimed he had “never heard” of Bad Bunny. Stewart replayed the clip before shaking his head. “You’ve never heard of him? That says less about Benito and more about your Spotify algorithm, sir.”

The comedian also addressed recent comments by South Dakota governor Kristi Noem, who suggested ICE should be “all over” the Super Bowl if Bad Bunny performs. Stewart didn’t hold back. “Do you hear yourself? You’re saying the quiet part out loud—scaring immigrants at an event celebrating the supposed inclusivity of America’s most-watched broadcast. That’s not patriotism, that’s intimidation.”

Throughout the segment, Stewart underscored that the backlash was less about music and more about identity. “It’s not the halftime show they’re mad at—it’s the halftime show in Spanish,” he said. “They don’t want to hear what America already sounds like. Newsflash: America sounds like Bad Bunny. It’s English, it’s Spanish, it’s Spanglish. It’s reggaeton blasting out of a car at a red light next to Springsteen. That’s who we are.”

The most explosive moment, however, came at the end of his monologue, when Stewart turned his message directly into a rallying cry for Bad Bunny.

“Benito, you’re not just performing at the Super Bowl. You’re performing at their table, and you’re not asking for scraps—you’re bringing the main dish. Stand tall. Sing loud. And when the music drops, remind them of this: cultures don’t need permission slips to exist. You don’t need their invitation to America. You are America.”

The crowd gave Stewart a standing ovation, chanting Bad Bunny’s name as the segment ended. Clips of the moment went viral within hours, with hashtags like #JonStewartForBenito and #WeAreAmerica trending across social media.

Bad Bunny himself has not yet publicly responded to Stewart’s fiery defense, but fans online hailed the comedian’s words as both a vindication of the artist’s cultural impact and a challenge to critics who question his place on one of the world’s biggest stages.

“Jon Stewart just said what we’ve all been feeling,” one fan tweeted. “Bad Bunny doesn’t just deserve the halftime show—he is the halftime show.”

As the countdown to Super Bowl LX continues, it seems clear that the halftime show won’t just be a performance. It will be a statement. And with Jon Stewart’s thunderous backing, Bad Bunny’s message may now carry even further than the music itself.