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The NFL has no plans to remove Bad Bunny as the headline performer for the Super Bowl halftime show, Commissioner Roger Goodell stated this week.

In doing so, Goodell reaffirmed the decision to place the Puerto Rican artist on the most-watched platform, a move that drew negative reactions from the former president and some of his supporters.

Goodell commented on the debate during his news conference following the annual fall owners meeting. This marks the first time he has spoken out on the appointment, which has garnered global interest, including a surge in streams of Bad Bunny’s music alongside opposition.

“The decision was thoroughly considered,” the commissioner said. “I doubt we’ve ever selected an performer where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. It’s challenging to do when you have truly countless viewers of people that are watching.”

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a vocal opponent of Trump. He recently decided to hold a 31-day residency in his homeland, skipping stops in the continental United States, referencing concerns about the expulsion of Hispanic individuals.

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

“We believe it’s going to be a great show,” the NFL commissioner said. “He is aware of the platform that he’s on, and in my view it’s going to be thrilling and a unifying moment.”

The host team are staging the Super Bowl on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It is unclear if the former president plans to attend, though he has turned physical attendance at high-profile games a key aspect of his second term.

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

“I’m unfamiliar with his identity,” Trump stated. “I don’t know the reasoning behind it. It seems absurd. And then, they blame it on an outside booker they hired to select entertainment. In my opinion it’s completely unreasonable.”

The commissioner supported the decision this week, clarifying it was made because of Bad Bunny’s massive fanbase.

“He ranks among the top and most popular entertainers in the world,” Goodell affirmed. “This is exactly what we try to achieve. It’s an important platform for us. It’s an important component to the overall experience.”