Trump vs. The Halftime Show: A Manufactured Meltdown
So here’s the hot take from this week’s episode of “Things That Have Nothing to Do With Reality, But I’m Still Mad About Them.”
President Donald Trump called Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show “absolutely terrible,” “a slap in the face to our country,” and “disgusting,” whining that viewers couldn’t understand the lyrics and that the dancing was somehow inappropriate — especially for children.
Let’s unpack this with the precision of a stand-up comic who also might be crazy:
1. Calling a Spanish-Language Performance “Disgusting”
First of all, calling a Spanish-language performance “disgusting” is like complaining that pizza isn’t as good as plain toast. It’s not just an opinion — it’s a worldview. Trump literally used the emotional weight of the American presidency to dunk on a globally acclaimed artist whose show was meant to celebrate music and unity.
Meanwhile, Bad Bunny’s halftime show was praised as a historic and unapologetic celebration of Puerto Rican culture, with big guest stars and a message of inclusion.
So if the performance works for millions around the world — but is “disgusting” to someone who thinks bilingual menus are foreign invaders — that says everything about whose values are actually being honored there.
2. “Nobody Understands a Word This Guy Is Saying”
This takes the cake. Trump complained that because Bad Bunny sang in Spanish, people “don’t understand a word.”
Which is wild, because:
Music transcends language, and Bad Bunny has billions of streams worldwide.
Half of pop music is just emotional gibberish anyway — consonants and hooks.
And yet somehow a cabbage-smuggling ringtone can play on his iPhone and still be “understood” better than Spanish lyrics.
This is like dismissing a foreign film because the subtitles are hard, then complaining the pizza tastes different in Italy.
3. The “Slap in the Face to Our Country” Narrative
Trump literally said the show was a “slap in the face” to America.
Except:
America is literally a diverse cultural mosaic where people speak dozens of languages and rock out to rhythms from around the globe.
But sure — if your idea of patriotism is monolingual karaoke from 1978, then yes, love and unity are apparently slaps.
4. The “Disgusting Dancing” Take
This is the bit that really shows the insecurity.
Imagine watching one of the most successful global artists on one of the biggest stages on Earth — backed by decades of songcraft, choreography, production, and cultural impact — and your takeaway is:
“The dancing is disgusting.”
That’s not a critique. That’s a therapist referral.
It’s like being handed a Michelin-starred meal and tweeting it’s too spicy because it doesn’t look like chicken nuggets.
5. Complaining About a Celebration of Unity
Bad Bunny ended his performance with a message about love — “the only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s response could be boiled down to:
“No, I want confusion and offense instead.”
That’s not criticism. That’s flat ignorance yelling “boo” in a cathedral.
The Real Roast: What This Actually Reveals
Here’s the real punchline nobody wants to admit:
The halftime show was historic, widely acclaimed, and embraced by millions.
The negative reaction isn’t about quality. It’s about fear of change.
Calling something “worthless” because you don’t understand it is … well, a very small-person move.
This isn’t a critique. It’s a tantrum packaged as commentary.
Keep the Scrolls Unrolling
The Virgin Monk Boy Scrolls is a free publication.
If these words steady you, challenge you, make you laugh, or help you breathe deeper, here are three simple ways to support the work.
Share the Scrolls
Passing a link forward is how more wandering souls stumble into the monastery. Word of mouth is the whole engine.
Become a Supporting Member
Paid members unlock the Virgin Monk Boy Book Of Hours, Whispers from the Silence, and the ability to start threads and share their own Substacks in the private chat.
Tip with a coffee
A one time gift of holy caffeine that fuels both the monk and the Magdalene movement. ☕🔥
Your presence alone already helps.
Your support keeps the lantern lit for everyone else.
"Tantrum packaged as commentary". I wonder how he sleeps at night.
And inappropriate for children?? Hmm..