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The NFL has no plans to drop Bad Bunny as the star attraction for the Super Bowl halftime show, Commissioner Roger Goodell stated this week.

In doing so, Goodell reaffirmed the choice to place the internationally acclaimed singer on the league’s biggest stage, a move that drew negative reactions from Donald Trump and his political base.

Goodell addressed the controversy during his news conference following the annual fall owners meeting. This marks the initial instance he has spoken out on the selection, which has garnered global interest, including a rise in online plays of Bad Bunny’s music alongside backlash.

“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell remarked. “I doubt we have chosen an performer where we didn’t have some blowback or disapproval. It’s challenging to do when you have truly hundreds of millions of fans that are watching.”

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a outspoken critic of Trump. He lately decided to do a 31-day residency in his homeland, skipping stops in the continental United States, referencing apprehensions about the mass deportation of Hispanic individuals.

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

“We’re confident it’s going to be a great show,” the NFL commissioner commented. “He understands the platform that he’s on, and in my view it will prove thrilling and a unifying experience.”

The host team are staging the Super Bowl on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in the Bay Area. It is unclear if the former president plans to attend, although he has made appearing in person at major sporting events a key aspect of his second term.

The political figure during a discussion on right-leaning media the outlet claimed he had “never heard of” the performer.

“I don’t know his identity,” Trump said. “I can’t comprehend the reasoning behind it. It’s, like, crazy. Additionally, they attribute it to some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. In my opinion it’s completely unreasonable.”

Goodell defended the choice on Wednesday, explaining it was made because of Bad Bunny’s immense popularity.

“He ranks among the top and most popular entertainers in the world,” Goodell affirmed. “That’s what we try to accomplish. It’s an important platform for the league. It serves as a key component to the entertainment value.”