Fact-Check: Bad Bunny Burning Flag Video Is AI Fake
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, better known as Bad Bunny, took center stage at Super Bowl 60's halftime show, delivering a performance that blended reggaeton rhythms, cultural pride, and high-energy spectacle. But amid the cheers and record-breaking viewership, a controversial viral image surfaced online, depicting the Puerto Rican superstar seemingly burning the American flag. As social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) lit up with outrage, questions arose: Did Bad Bunny really make such a bold political statement? The answer is a resounding no. This article dives deep into the fact-check, the real events of the show, and the broader context of Bad Bunny's rising global influence.
The Viral Sensation: Unpacking the AI-Generated Image
The image in question quickly amassed millions of views, shared by users decrying it as an act of disrespect toward American symbols. It showed Bad Bunny in his signature streetwear, holding a lit torch to a tattered Stars and Stripes amid pyrotechnics on the Super Bowl stage. Hashtags like #BadBunnyBurnsFlag and #BoycottBadBunny trended, fueling debates about patriotism, immigration, and cultural representation in mainstream entertainment.
However, a closer inspection reveals this as a classic case of digital deception. Community notes on X flagged the image, pointing to its origins on a satire website known for fabricating celebrity scandals. More tellingly, the photo bore a SynthID watermark—a digital signature used by AI tools like Google's Imagen or OpenAI's DALL-E to mark generated content. Experts in digital forensics, including those from the nonprofit NewsGuard, confirmed the image was entirely fabricated using artificial intelligence. No video footage from the official Super Bowl broadcast, NFL archives, or fan recordings supports the claim.
This isn't the first time AI has amplified misinformation around high-profile events. In 2025, similar deepfakes targeted athletes during the Olympics, leading to widespread confusion. For Bad Bunny's case, the hoax likely stemmed from pre-existing backlash against his selection as halftime performer, exploiting tensions around his Puerto Rican heritage and outspoken views on colonialism.
Why Did This Hoax Spread So Quickly?
Social media algorithms thrive on controversy, and the image tapped into polarized sentiments. Conservative outlets and groups like Turning Point USA, which hosted a rival 'patriotic' halftime stream, amplified the narrative without verification. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny's fanbase—predominantly young, diverse, and global—rallied to debunk it, turning the story into a meta-discussion on media literacy. By February 10, 2026, fact-checking sites like Snopes and PolitiFact had rated the claim 'False,' but not before it reached over 50 million impressions.
Bad Bunny's Actual Super Bowl Performance: A Cultural Milestone
Far from controversy, Bad Bunny's set was a triumphant showcase of Latinx pride. Performing almost entirely in Spanish, he opened with hits like 'Tití Me Preguntó' and 'Moscow Mule,' backed by a ensemble of dancers, live mariachi horns, and LED visuals evoking Puerto Rican beaches and urban streets. The 13-minute spectacle culminated in Bad Bunny hoisting the Puerto Rican flag—a vibrant symbol of his roots—while singing 'El Apagón,' a track critiquing power outages on the island post-Hurricane Maria.
Born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny has long infused his music with themes of identity and resistance. His 2025 concert residency in San Juan, which wrapped just months before the Super Bowl, drew over 500,000 fans and solidified his status as a cultural icon. Choosing him for Super Bowl 60 was a nod to the NFL's push for inclusivity, following Kendrick Lamar's record-breaking 2025 show. Early Nielsen estimates peg Bad Bunny's viewership at 145 million—surpassing Lamar's by 10%—making it one of the most-watched halftime acts ever.
Celebrity cameos added star power: Lady Gaga joined for a surprise duet on 'Un Verano Sin Ti,' while Pedro Pascal narrated a heartfelt segment on unity. One couple even exchanged vows mid-performance, live-streamed to millions, highlighting the show's communal vibe. Bad Bunny's message of 'togetherness'—delivered in both Spanish and English—resonated, with translations going viral on TikTok.
Backlash and the Turning Point USA Response
Not everyone celebrated. The NFL faced criticism from conservative voices for selecting an artist perceived as 'anti-American' due to his pro-Puerto Rico independence lyrics. Turning Point USA countered with an alternate stream featuring country artists and military tributes, but it drew paltry viewership—under 5 million—compared to the main event. Bad Bunny addressed the pre-show uproar in a press conference that shattered records, becoming the most-viewed in Super Bowl history per Apple metrics. 'Music unites, it doesn't divide,' he said, emphasizing his gratitude to U.S. fans.
Aftermath: Streaming Surge and Lasting Impact
The performance's authenticity paid off commercially. Apple Music reported a 700% spike in Bad Bunny streams post-show, with 'DtMF,' 'BAILE INOLVIDABLE,' and 'Tití Me Preguntó' topping charts. Spotify's global playlists saw his catalog climb, underscoring his crossover appeal. In Puerto Rico, the flag-waving moment sparked national pride, boosting tourism campaigns and youth engagement in music education.
Broader implications? This incident highlights the dangers of AI in shaping public discourse. As tools become more sophisticated, distinguishing real from fake grows harder. Platforms like X are ramping up AI detection, but users must verify sources. For Bad Bunny, the hoax only amplified his visibility, proving resilience against digital trolls.
In a divided era, his Super Bowl set reminded us of entertainment's power to bridge cultures. As he tours worldwide in 2026, expect more boundary-pushing artistry—and hopefully fewer fabrications.
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