By Harshit | October 5, 2025 | New York | 12:15 AM EDT
NEW YORK — Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican superstar and cultural icon, kicked off Season 51 of Saturday Night Live as its first host, using his opening monologue to celebrate Latino pride, address political backlash, and poke fun at his critics — all while switching seamlessly between Spanish and English.
The global artist, fresh off a record-breaking Puerto Rico residency, leaned into controversy surrounding his upcoming role as the Super Bowl halftime performer, showing why he has become one of the most influential voices in music and culture today.
A Monologue with a Message
Bad Bunny opened with a playful jab at the skepticism surrounding his hosting gig, telling the audience in Spanish: “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”
He went on to acknowledge the debates surrounding his Super Bowl announcement, quipping, “I think everybody’s happy about it – even Fox News.” The punchline was followed by a spliced-together video montage of Fox News personalities, humorously edited to declare: “Bad Bunny is my favorite musician, and he should be the next president.”
The singer then shifted to Spanish again, expressing gratitude for the Super Bowl opportunity and for the worldwide support of his fans. “More than just my achievement, it’s everyone’s achievement,” he said. “No one can ever erase or take away Latinos’ mark and our contribution to this country.”
Returning to English, he doubled down on his call for cultural understanding: “If you didn’t get that, you’ve got a few weeks to figure it out.”
Residency Success Fuels His Global Momentum
The SNL appearance comes on the heels of Bad Bunny’s 30-date residency in San Juan, Puerto Rico — a unique “tour at home” that generated hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity, according to local economists. The sold-out run concluded September 14 and was celebrated not only as a musical milestone but also as a financial boon for the island.
His latest album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, released in January, has spent 38 consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200, cementing his dominance in global pop music. Following his Puerto Rican residency, Bad Bunny is preparing to launch a world tour beginning in the Dominican Republic.
Politics Enters the Super Bowl Spotlight
Despite his commercial success and mainstream popularity, Bad Bunny’s upcoming halftime performance has been criticized by some U.S. officials and conservative media outlets. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed ICE would have a presence at the Super Bowl, arguing that “people should not be coming to the Super Bowl unless they’re law-abiding Americans who love this country.”
Noem further lashed out at the NFL itself: “Well, they suck and we’ll win, and God will bless us and we’ll stand and be proud of ourselves at the end of the day. … They’re so weak, we’ll fix it.”
These remarks followed earlier controversies surrounding Bad Bunny’s outspoken criticism of U.S. immigration policies, which have fueled attempts to turn his Super Bowl appearance into a flashpoint in America’s ongoing culture wars.
‘SNL’ Pokes Back at Trump
The season premiere also featured a cold open that parodied political tensions, with cast member James Austin Johnson reprising his role as Donald Trump. Johnson, portraying the former president, joked about monitoring SNL: “I’m just here keeping my eye on SNL, making sure they don’t do anything too mean about me. They better be careful because I know late-night TV like the back of my hand.”
The sketch also included Weekend Update co-anchor Colin Jost as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, satirizing the administration’s ongoing media battles.
Trump, who has hosted SNL twice before his presidency, has long criticized the show and its satirical portrayal of him. Recently, questions have even circulated over whether his administration might take legal action against late-night comedy, particularly after disputes with Jimmy Kimmel.
A Defining Stage for Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny’s SNL hosting debut offered more than just laughs. It was a statement of cultural pride, artistic dominance, and political defiance. By mixing humor with heartfelt commentary, the artist reminded viewers of his role as more than just a performer — he is a symbol of representation and resilience for Latinos in the U.S.
As his Super Bowl performance approaches, one thing is certain: whether adored or attacked, Bad Bunny is using every stage he’s given to speak directly to fans, critics, and the wider culture.
