Donald Trump Skips the Super Bowl While Criticizing Its Musical Lineup

25 January 2026

As the calendar inches closer to February 8 and Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, former President Donald Trump has stoked controversy by announcing that he will not attend this year’s game and by openly disparaging the entertainment choices associated with the event. In an interview with the New York Post, Trump said he would miss the Super Bowl in person, citing the distance to Levi’s Stadium as a practical reason for his absence, but he also took aim at the NFL’s selection of performers, calling the choices “terrible” and repeatedly criticizing headline acts Bad Bunny and Green Day, comments that have sparked fresh debate across political and cultural lines.

Trump’s decision marks a notable shift from the previous year, when he made history by attending the Super Bowl as a sitting president, receiving a mix of cheers and boos from a highly politicised crowd. This time around, however, he framed his absence largely in terms of logistics, telling the Post that the cross-country travel to the Bay Area was simply “just too far away” for his schedule. The former president has frequently travelled for political and personal events, but the distance to San Francisco seemed to be the primary ostensible rationale he offered for staying away from one of the most watched sporting events in the United States.

Yet Trump’s comments quickly shifted from geographic inconvenience to pointed criticism of the game’s entertainment lineup. In describing Bad Bunny and Green Day as “a terrible choice” for performers, he said that their involvement in the spectacle “sows hatred” and that he is “anti-them,” language that drew attention not only for its combative tone but also for how it reflects broader political and cultural tensions in the United States. His critique underscores how even major sporting events like the Super Bowl have become arenas for cultural confrontation, especially at a time when music, politics and celebrity influence are deeply intertwined.

The lineup Trump disparaged has been among the most diverse and talked-about in recent memory. Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny is slated to headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LX halftime show, making history as the first Latino and Spanish-speaking artist to lead the performance as a solo act. Known for his dynamic blend of reggaeton, Latin trap and genre-bending pop, Bad Bunny has become one of the most streamed and influential artists of his generation, with a global fanbase that spans cultures and languages. His selection was celebrated by many fans and commentators as a breakthrough moment for representation and for the cultural reach of the halftime tradition.

Equally adding to the breadth of musical styles at the event, Green Day the Grammy-winning punk rock band whose music has been shaped by decades of charged political commentary and social critique will perform at the Super Bowl opening ceremony, celebrating the game’s rich history alongside other pregame performers. Figures such as Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones are also set to appear in the entertainment lineup, offering a series of performances that reflect a mix of genres and traditions designed to appeal to the vast Super Bowl audience.

Both Bad Bunny and Green Day have previously expressed viewpoints and artistic messages that challenge the political status quo, and their very presence on such a national stage has ignited conversations about what it means for pop culture to intersect with politics. Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has navigated his career with a global reach, performing songs in both Spanish and English and celebrating his cultural identity, while Green Day’s frontman Billie Joe Armstrong has frequently altered lyrics during live performances to voice opposition to certain political agendas and publicly advocate for social change, contributing to the band’s image as a politically conscious act.

Trump’s public remarks echo a broader backlash among some conservative commentators and fans who have resisted the NFL’s entertainment direction, with debates about performance selections, cultural representation and political expression frequently playing out on social media and in opinion columns. Some detractors have even called for alternative programming or petitions to replace Bad Bunny with artists seen as more traditionally representative of American culture, though the NFL has stood by its choices and emphasised the creative vision behind the halftime and pregame shows.

NFL officials, including Commissioner Roger Goodell, have defended the event’s music lineup and resisted pressure to change course. In past remarks they have underscored the league’s desire to present a show that celebrates diversity, artistic innovation and a wide range of musical voices, reminding critics that the Super Bowl’s global audience appreciates a variety of creative expressions. This stance reflects a broader cultural moment in which entertainment platforms increasingly serve as spaces for artistic inclusion and experimentation, even amid pushback from segments of the public.

As social and political dynamics continue to shape how audiences engage with high-profile events like the Super Bowl, Trump’s announcement and his critique of Bad Bunny and Green Day will likely reverberate beyond the realms of sport and music. His comments highlight how cultural productions from halftime shows to stadium anthems are viewed not only as entertainment but as statements about identity, belonging and societal values. Whether his absence will influence public perception of the game or its performances remains to be seen, but it has already added a layer of debate to what is traditionally one of America’s most unifying moments.