Former President Donald Trump has declared he will skip Super Bowl LX, a dramatic reversal after becoming the first sitting president to attend the championship game last year. This year’s decision isn’t about football, but a pointed protest against the musical lineup chosen for the event.
Trump voiced strong disapproval of both the opening act, Green Day, and the halftime performer, Bad Bunny, labeling the choices “terrible” and claiming they “sow hatred.” His comments reveal a deep-seated opposition to the artists and the message he believes they represent.
The location also played a role in his decision. Trump stated the game’s distance – being held in San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium – was a factor, suggesting he would have considered attending if the travel was less extensive.
Bad Bunny’s selection by entertainment company Roc Nation has been met with mixed reactions, particularly given the artist’s previous statements regarding potential ICE raids at his concerts and concerns about touring within the United States.
Green Day’s history of vocal opposition to Trump adds another layer to the controversy. The band has repeatedly used their platform to criticize the former president, even altering lyrics to their hit song “American Idiot” to directly address him.
In a particularly defiant moment during the 2016 American Music Awards, Green Day publicly protested Trump, shouting “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA” while performing their song “Bang Bang.” This history clearly fuels Trump’s current displeasure.
Despite the controversy, Bad Bunny remains immensely popular, finishing last year as Spotify’s most streamed artist globally, demonstrating a broad appeal that extends beyond political divides.
Adding to the unfolding drama, Turning Point USA announced plans for an alternative “All-American Halftime Show” as a counter-programming event to Bad Bunny’s performance, keeping the lineup a closely guarded secret until the broadcast.
Super Bowl LX is scheduled to air on February 8th, promising a day of football and a cultural clash that extends far beyond the gridiron. The event is now poised to be a focal point for ongoing political and artistic tensions.
The White House has declined to comment further on the former president’s decision, allowing the controversy to unfold without official intervention and focusing attention on the artists and the event itself.
