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America's top football league will not remove Bad Bunny as the headline performer for the Super Bowl halftime show, League chief Roger Goodell stated this week.

With this affirmation, Goodell stood by the choice to feature the internationally acclaimed singer on the league’s biggest stage, a move that drew negative reactions from Donald Trump and some of his supporters.

Goodell commented on the debate during his media briefing following the annual fall owners meeting. This marks the first time he has publicly remarked on the appointment, which has garnered worldwide attention, including a surge in streams of Bad Bunny’s music alongside backlash.

“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell remarked. “I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an performer where we avoided some blowback or disapproval. It’s challenging to do when you have truly hundreds of millions of fans tuning in.”

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a outspoken critic of Trump. He lately decided to do a 31-day residency in Puerto Rico, avoiding stops in the continental United States, referencing apprehensions about the mass deportation of Latinos.

The 31-year-old, who performs primarily in his native language, is anticipated to continue this at the Super Bowl.

“We believe it will deliver a great show,” Goodell said. “He understands the platform that he’s on, and I think it will prove thrilling and a unifying moment.”

The host team are staging the Super Bowl on 8 February at the Santa Clara venue in Santa Clara, California. There is uncertainty if Trump intends to be there, although he has turned appearing in person at high-profile games a significant part of his current presidency.

Trump in an interview on conservative news network the outlet said he had “never heard of” Bad Bunny.

“I don’t know his identity,” he said. “I can’t comprehend why they’re doing it. It seems absurd. Additionally, they blame it on an outside booker they contracted to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Goodell defended the decision this week, explaining it was determined because of Bad Bunny’s massive fanbase.

“He ranks among the top and most popular entertainers in the world,” Goodell affirmed. “That’s what we aim to achieve. It’s an important platform for the league. It’s an important element to the entertainment value.”