Whoopi Goldberg drew backlash Monday after suggesting that Super Bowl attendees should “give themselves a Latin accent” to avoid attention from federal immigration agents during the upcoming halftime show featuring Grammy-winning artist Bad Bunny.

The remarks came during Monday’s broadcast of The View on ABC, where Goldberg and the panel discussed recent comments by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who warned that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would be present “all over” the Super Bowl.

The game will be held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, in early February 2026.

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Goldberg, responding to the warning, joked, “Everybody, get a little cocoa butter, sit in the sun, that’s the first thing.”

She then added, “And this is the only time you can probably ever do this: Give yourself a Latin accent, and just see if she can tell who’s who.”

The audience reacted with laughter, though critics online quickly condemned the comments as racially insensitive and dismissive of real immigration enforcement concerns.

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The discussion was sparked after DHS confirmed that standard security procedures — which include ICE presence at large-scale public events — would apply to the Super Bowl, particularly amid international travel and high-profile performers.

Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican rapper and pop artist, was announced last month as the headliner for Super Bowl LX’s halftime show, which has already generated significant buzz and controversy.

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The artist has previously mixed English and Spanish in his performances and is known for incorporating Puerto Rican cultural themes into his music and public appearances.

Goldberg’s comments followed Bad Bunny’s appearance on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, where he addressed the Super Bowl announcement in his opening monologue.

“You might not know this, but I’m doing the Super Bowl Halftime Show,” he told the cheering crowd.

“And I’m very happy, and I think everybody’s happy about it… even Fox News!”

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The monologue was followed by a pre-produced segment featuring edited clips of Fox News hosts humorously stitched together to make it appear as if they were endorsing the performer, with lines saying, “Bad Bunny is my favorite musician and he should be the next president.”

The SNL bit quickly went viral, with supporters praising the humor while some commentators noted the routine’s overt political tone ahead of what will be one of the most-watched events of the year.

Meanwhile, enthusiasm among fans and fellow performers has continued to grow.

Jennifer Lopez, who headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2020, voiced her excitement during an interview on NBC’s Today show on Monday morning.

“He’s the perfect pick,” Lopez said, calling Bad Bunny a “phenomenal performer” and wishing him luck for the February event. “Knock ‘em dead, Benito,” she added.

Goldberg’s comments added a new layer of controversy to the conversation surrounding this year’s halftime show, which has already drawn attention for its cultural and political dimensions.

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The Department of Homeland Security has not responded directly to Goldberg’s remarks, though officials have reiterated that ICE’s focus during the Super Bowl will remain on security and public safety — not immigration enforcement actions against attendees.

Super Bowl LX will take place on February 9, 2026, with millions expected to tune in for the broadcast from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

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