BY: Jasmine Franklin
Published 6 days ago
Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, claimed that ICE agents will be present at the 2026 Super Bowl. Bad Bunny is scheduled to perform during the halftime show. Lewandowski made the statement during an appearance on Benny Johnson’s web series “The Benny Show.” He called the NFL’s choice “so shameful,” accusing organizers of selecting an artist who “seems to hate America.”
ICE and the Super Bowl? Trump Advisor’s Remark Raises Eyebrows
CONFIRMED: ICE will be active and on-site at Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 1, 2025
Trump Advisor Corey Lewandowski warns: there’s no place ICE won’t go to remove criminal aliens from the US, even the Super Bowl:
"There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in… pic.twitter.com/kfKlGcuR7Q
During his appearance on “The Benny Show,” the host asked Lewandowski if ICE agents planned to enforce immigration laws at the Super Bowl.
“There is nowhere you can provide a safe haven to people who are in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find you, apprehend you, put you in a detention facility, and deport you,” Lewandowski responded.
“Know that it is a very real situation under this administration, which is contrary to how it used to be,” Lewandowski added.
“It’s so shameful they’ve decided to pick somebody who seems to hate America so much to represent them at the Halftime Show,” Lewandowski said about Bad Bunny. “We should be trying to be inclusive, not exclusive. There are plenty of great bands and entertainment people who could be playing at that show that would be bringing people together and not separating them,” he continued.
Lewandowski ended by letting the host know Ice’s reach would be everywhere.
“If there are illegal aliens, I don’t care if it’s a concert for Johnny Smith or Bad Bunny or anybody else… We’re going to do enforcement everywhere,” he shared. “We are going to make Americans safe. That is a directive from the president. If you’re in this country illegally, go home.”
Lewandowski has remained close to Trump since he first managed his 2016 campaign. He returned to Trump’s inner circle during the 2024 election cycle and aligned himself with the Department of Homeland Security. He currently advises the agency as a special government employee under Secretary Kristi Noem.
Bad Bunny Breaks His Own Rule for the Super Bowl Stage
According to Variety, the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show marks Bad Bunny’s only scheduled U.S. appearance that year. His “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” World Tour will run from December 2025 through July 2026 without any U.S. stops. In an interview with I-D Magazine, he explained that concerns about ICE raids influenced his decision to avoid performing in the country.
“Fucking ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about,” the artist stated.
“There were many reasons why I didn’t show up in the U.S., and none of them were out of hate — I’ve performed there many times,” he added. “All of [the shows] have been successful. All of them have been magnificent. I’ve enjoyed connecting with Latinos who have been living in the U.S. But specifically, for a residency here in Puerto Rico, when we are an unincorporated territory of the U.S. … People from the U.S. could come here to see the show.”
His decision triggered polarized reactions. Of course, fans welcomed his return to the U.S. stage. Meanwhile, Trump supporters are against it, even questioning why the Super Bowl couldn’t enlist an “American.”
As game day approaches, the conversation remains heated. Inside NFL security channels, officials refuse to confirm or deny the adviser’s claims about ICE involvement. They point to standard protocols that include local law enforcement and federal liaisons.
Music industry observers warn that injecting immigration enforcement into a Super Bowl show risks chilling creative expression. Others defend high security, especially at a live U.S. event.
What do you think about ICE agents possibly being present at Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
