Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana has publicly addressed and firmly denied widespread false claims circulating online that suggested he criticized Bad Bunny’s selection as the 2026 Super Bowl halftime headliner. Viral posts had erroneously claimed Santana opposed the Puerto Rican superstar’s performance, with some even asserting he had petitioned for Bad Bunny’s replacement. Santana vehemently refuted these rumors, offering his unequivocal support for the artist.

In a statement shared with Billboard Español, Santana expressed his admiration, stating, “I congratulate and celebrate Bad Bunny‘s success and his position right now with the world and with the Super Bowl.” He emphasized a sense of shared purpose, adding, “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.” The fabricated claims also included baseless accusations that Santana had criticized Bad Bunny for wearing a dress during past performances, which Santana dismissed as entirely untrue.

Santana’s manager, Michael Vrionis, attributed the proliferation of this misinformation to AI-generated trolling, highlighting the challenges of discerning truth in the current digital landscape. “AI has accelerated the spread of misinformation, making it harder for the truth to break through the noise,” Vrionis stated. He urged the public to be cautious and not rely on unverified online posts.

The Mexican superstar further elaborated on the broader societal context, noting that the world is experiencing “a time of fear, division, separation, superiority and inferiority,” which he believes fuels such online misinformation. He asserted that fear motivates