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President Trump to Skip Super Bowl, Criticizes Halftime Performers
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he will not attend next month’s Super Bowl, citing the distance to California and expressing disapproval of the selected halftime performers.
“It’s just too far away,” Trump told the New York Post regarding the championship game scheduled for Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. “I would, I’ve [gotten] great hands [at] the Super Bowl. They like me,” he added, suggesting he typically receives a warm reception at the event.
Trump attended last year’s contest between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans, but apparently views the cross-country journey to the San Francisco Bay Area as prohibitive. “I would go if, you know, it was a little bit shorter,” he explained.
Beyond logistics, the former president voiced strong criticism of the NFL’s entertainment choices for the event. Latin music superstar Bad Bunny is set to headline the halftime show, with rock band Green Day recently announced to perform prior to kickoff.
“I don’t know who he is,” Trump said of Bad Bunny in comments to Newsmax last fall. “I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s crazy. And then they blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
Both performers have historically been outspoken against Trump. Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been vocal about immigration issues affecting his Latino fanbase. The 31-year-old Puerto Rican artist recently told i-D magazine that concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents potentially targeting his fans influenced his decision to limit U.S. tour dates.
In his song “Nuevayol,” Bad Bunny included a Trump impression stating, “I want to apologize to the immigrants in America… This country is nothing without the immigrants. This country is nothing without Mexicans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Venezuelans, Cubans.”
Green Day, led by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, has similarly expressed anti-Trump sentiments. Armstrong has previously compared Trump to Hitler, and the band has modified lyrics in their hit song “American Idiot” during recent performances to reference “MAGA agenda” rather than the original “redneck agenda,” according to The Independent.
“I’m anti-them,” Trump told the Post regarding the performers. “I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible.”
The NFL’s selection of these artists continues the league’s trend of booking high-profile entertainment for its championship game. Last year’s halftime show featured Kendrick Lamar as the headliner, with appearances by SZA, Jon Batiste, Lauren Daigle, Trombone Shorty, and Ledisi.
The Super Bowl has evolved into America’s premier sporting event, drawing over 100 million viewers annually and commanding record advertising rates. The game has become a cultural touchstone that transcends sports, with the halftime show and commercials often generating as much discussion as the game itself.
Political figures frequently attend the event, using the high-profile occasion to connect with voters in a more casual setting. Trump’s decision to skip this year’s game marks a departure from this tradition and highlights the increasingly politicized nature of entertainment choices for major sporting events.
The Super Bowl will take place on Sunday, February 8. The matchup will be determined following this weekend’s conference championship games between the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams, and the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos.
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10 Comments
I’m a bit surprised Trump won’t be attending the Super Bowl this year, given his past involvement. But the distance to California does seem like a reasonable logistical concern. Curious to see how the game and halftime show play out without his presence.
That’s a fair point. The Super Bowl is a major event, and the president’s attendance usually generates a lot of attention. It will be interesting to see if his absence changes the dynamic at all.
Interesting to see Trump’s take on the Super Bowl halftime show. While he may not be familiar with Bad Bunny, the Latin music star has a huge global following. It will be exciting to see a more diverse lineup of performers this year.
I agree, the halftime show is an opportunity to showcase different genres and artists. Engaging a wider audience can only be good for the sport and the event.
Trump’s criticism of the halftime performers seems a bit misguided. Bad Bunny and Green Day are both hugely popular acts that will likely put on an engaging show. The Super Bowl halftime is about entertainment, not politics.
I agree, the halftime show should focus on showcasing great music and entertainment, rather than getting caught up in political debates. Fans just want to be entertained.
It’s understandable that Trump would prefer to attend a Super Bowl closer to home. The long trip to California is likely a deterrent, regardless of the performers. Still, it’s a shame he won’t be there to experience the full event.
That’s a fair point. The logistics of attending an event on the other side of the country can be challenging, even for a former president. It will be interesting to see how the atmosphere is without his presence.
Trump’s comments about not knowing who Bad Bunny is seem a bit out of touch. The Puerto Rican artist is one of the biggest stars in Latin music globally. Including him in the halftime show reflects the growing diversity of the NFL’s audience.
I agree, it’s important for the Super Bowl to showcase a range of musical talent and genres to appeal to the diverse fanbase. Bad Bunny’s inclusion is a positive step in that direction.