Carlos Santana Denies Bad Bunny Controversy, Blames “AI Hoax” for Fake Super Bowl Comments

Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana is pushing back against viral claims that he criticized Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl 2026 halftime show, calling the rumors “completely false” and “AI-generated nonsense.”

The controversy began when social media posts falsely attributed statements to Santana, claiming he called the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny “a circus.” Within hours, the alleged quotes spread across X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Facebook — prompting the 77-year-old guitar icon to issue an official response.

Santana’s Response: “I Never Said That — Nor Would I Ever”

In a public statement posted October 13, 2025, Santana made it clear that he never criticized Bad Bunny or the NFL.

“I never said that, nor would I ever,” Santana wrote. “I love Bad Bunny’s energy and what he brings to music. I celebrate anyone who shares light through sound.”

Santana went on to condemn what he called “trolls and AI bots spreading division,” saying the fake quotes appeared to have been generated by artificial intelligence and spread to create friction between fans of rock and Latin music.

He described the situation as “a lie designed to cause separation,” emphasizing that he believes in unity and creative freedom.

Praise for Bad Bunny

Rather than criticize Bad Bunny, Santana praised him:

“I listen to Bad Bunny’s music — songs like Mónaco are magical,” Santana said. “He’s uplifting people in his own way.”

Santana’s comments directly countered the false claim that he wanted to replace Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl. In fact, he said he hopes the Puerto Rican superstar “delivers a halftime show that brings people together.”

How the Rumor Spread

The viral story first surfaced on social media, paired with an image of Santana alongside a fabricated headline. Music and culture sites quickly picked up on the rumor before fact-checking revealed the posts to be fake.

According to Santana’s team, no interviews, statements, or verified posts ever contained the alleged remarks. Analysts have since pointed out telltale signs of AI-generated imagery and text in the posts that went viral, including mismatched fonts and distorted photo edges.

Santana said the experience reflects a growing danger in the digital age: “People need to verify before sharing. We’re in a time where even a photo can lie.”

The Super Bowl Connection

Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl 2026 halftime show will mark the first time a reggaeton artist headlines solo. The announcement has been celebrated globally for spotlighting Latin music on one of the world’s biggest stages.

Santana’s swift response helped quell early fan tensions, reframing the story around solidarity between generations of Latin artists — one a rock legend from the Woodstock era, the other a chart-topping global icon.