John Oliver Defends Bad Bunny Amid Super Bowl Controversy and Slams “Nauseating” ICE Raids in Fiery Segment

On a recent episode of HBO’s Last Week Tonight, host John Oliver took aim at the backlash surrounding Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny’s selection as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show — while also delivering a scathing critique of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and their recent actions across the country.

As part of his signature roundup of weekly news, Oliver addressed what he sarcastically called the “controversy” of the NFL’s decision. “The NFL has ‘controversially’ given the Super Bowl Halftime Show to one of the hottest, most commercially successful people alive,” Oliver said, mocking the backlash with dry wit. “Oh no. How shocking. They picked someone with global reach, chart-topping hits, and sold-out shows. What were they thinking?”

Political Backlash to Bad Bunny’s Performance

The announcement that Bad Bunny would take the stage at one of the most-watched televised events in the U.S. set off a firestorm of criticism from right-wing politicians and commentators. Among the most vocal was Kristi Noem — former Trump campaign manager and former Secretary of Homeland Security — who warned in a podcast appearance that ICE would be “all over” the Super Bowl, suggesting that enforcement operations would be heightened around the event.

“ICE will be present. They will be visible. And they will enforce the law,” Noem stated on The Benny Johnson Show, implying that Bad Bunny’s presence, and perhaps his fan base, warranted increased surveillance.

This implication was widely interpreted as a racially charged dog whistle, targeting the Latino community that makes up a significant portion of Bad Bunny’s fanbase — and ignoring the fact that Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, and its residents are American citizens.

Bad Bunny Responds With Characteristic Humor and Defiance

Bad Bunny, known not only for his music but also for his unapologetically political stance, has long criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policies. He recently confirmed that he deliberately left the U.S. off the itinerary for his upcoming 2025–2026 tour due to concerns over ICE’s presence and actions.

“I’m not putting my fans or my team at risk,” he reportedly told sources close to his management. “ICE could be outside my concert.”

During his recent appearance as host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live, Bad Bunny used humor to address the mounting criticism. After thanking his fans in Spanish during his opening monologue, he smirked and said, “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn,” referring to the time remaining before the Super Bowl.

His confident, playful response was widely praised by supporters, who viewed it as a bold stand against xenophobia and cultural exclusion.

Oliver Blasts Conservative Pundits and ICE Raids

Oliver didn’t stop at the media backlash. He aired a montage of conservative commentators expressing outrage over the NFL’s decision, with one even insisting that Bad Bunny wasn’t an “American artist,” seemingly unaware — or willfully ignoring — that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens.

“Of course, someone said he’s not American,” Oliver noted incredulously. “Puerto Rico is literally part of the United States. These people either failed geography or are just being willfully ignorant. Possibly both.”

But the segment soon took a darker, more serious turn as Oliver transitioned into a deeper discussion about ICE raids, which have been ramping up in frequency and intensity under new directives.

“This week, we witnessed more nauseating footage of ICE raids across the country,” Oliver said, highlighting a particularly disturbing incident in Chicago where federal agents reportedly handcuffed a city council member, threw a tear gas canister on a busy street near a school, and raided an entire apartment complex.

“These are not isolated incidents,” he emphasized. “This is a coordinated, militarized campaign of intimidation.”

Communities Fight Back — With Resistance and Humor

Despite the grim reality, Oliver found hope in the growing resistance to ICE’s actions. Across the country, communities have organized protests, mutual aid groups, and public demonstrations to stand in solidarity with immigrant families and against federal overreach.

“There have been powerful protests all over — and some of them genuinely funny,” Oliver said, showing footage of a person dressed in a giant frog costume dancing outside an ICE detention center in Portland. He also shared an image from a protest in Chicago featuring a sign that read, “I fucked two of you on Grindr… (pretty sure),” drawing laughter from the studio audience.

“These are people using creativity, humor, and courage to call out injustice,” Oliver said. “It’s resistance in its most human form.”

“We Must Keep Exposing This”

Oliver concluded the segment with a firm call to action. “The Trump administration and ICE can’t cover up the ugliness of what they are doing. It must be exposed, pushed back against, and fought at every single opportunity.”

He ended with his signature blend of comedy and warning: “Because if we don’t, then — much like two ICE agents somewhere outside Chicago — I’m pretty sure we are fucked.”