Carlos Santana Slams False Claims, Offers Full Support to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Performance

Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana is setting the record straight after a wave of viral misinformation claimed he had publicly condemned Bad Bunny as the NFL’s 2026 Super Bowl halftime show headliner.

Viral posts circulating on Facebook falsely suggested that Santana criticized Bad Bunny for his fashion choices and even petitioned to have the Puerto Rican superstar replaced. The rumors spread rapidly, with fabricated quotes and AI-generated headlines portraying Santana as having harsh words for the reggaeton icon. On Monday, Santana issued a powerful statement refuting the claims, embracing Bad Bunny’s global influence and artistic expression.

“I congratulate and celebrate Bad Bunny’s success and his position right now with the world and with the Super Bowl,” Santana’s statement read. “I feel total oneness with what he’s doing because we are here to utilize art to complement and bring the world closer to harmony and oneness.”

Addressing the Misinformation Head-On

Santana did not mince words when calling out the fabricated stories and those responsible for spreading them. “Fear is what motivates ignorant people to put words in my mouth — saying that I didn’t want Bad Bunny to be represented at the Super Bowl. I never said that, nor would I ever.”

The statement served not only as a defense of his own name, but as a broader critique of a social media culture driven by division and false narratives. Santana made it clear that attempts to weaponize his reputation to create cultural conflict are misguided and fundamentally false.

“Just to be clear, my heart is in total harmony with Bad Bunny, and I celebrate his success, his triumph, and his phenomenal achievement,” he continued. “Anything other than that is coming from people’s ignorance. We’re living in a time when hostile forces love to create conflict, separation, and division.”

A Call for Unity, Creativity, and Joy

Santana’s message echoed the themes of unity, peace, and transcendence that have long defined his music. “They want people to be miserable and to spend too much time in their minds. I spend a lot of time in my heart, and in my heart I celebrate Bad Bunny. I can’t stop playing his song ‘Monaco’ — there’s something really magical about it.”

He concluded by inviting those spreading falsehoods to “do something more creative with their energy.”

Santana’s Team Speaks Out on AI and Disinformation

Michael Vrionis, Santana’s longtime manager, added to the statement, warning fans about the dangerous role artificial intelligence is now playing in misinformation campaigns. “AI has created a series of trolling posts and rumors about Santana that the team has attempted to counter,” Vrionis said. “Don’t rely on random or unverified posts. Even well-meaning outlets can get misled.”

Super Bowl Tensions Continue to Escalate

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime appearance has become a lightning rod for online discourse, particularly among right-wing figures. Far-right activists have threatened boycotts, and in a disturbing turn, some groups have even floated the idea of involving immigration enforcement as a protest stunt.

Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk and a prominent figure in conservative media circles, announced Turning Point USA will launch counterprogramming aimed at “reclaiming the culture” on Super Bowl Sunday.

Despite the backlash, Bad Bunny has remained unfazed. While hosting Saturday Night Live, he cheekily addressed the controversy: “You have four months to learn Spanish,” he said, winking at the camera.

Final Note: Santana’s Message Resounds

Carlos Santana’s words come at a critical moment in cultural dialogue, where truth and unity are often drowned out by clickbait and chaos. His statement was more than a correction — it was a meditation on the power of music to heal, connect, and inspire.

And in standing beside Bad Bunny, Santana has not only defended an artist — he’s defended the soul of creativity itself.