Overview
- Trump told the New York Post he will not attend the Feb. 8 game at Levi’s Stadium, citing distance and labeling the performers a “terrible choice.”
- Bad Bunny is set to headline the Apple Music halftime show, and Green Day will handle opening ceremony duties at the Santa Clara event.
- Both artists have a history of criticizing the administration, which Trump referenced in remarks including, “I’m anti-them.”
- NFL leaders have defended the booking, with Commissioner Roger Goodell saying in October they expect “a great show” and no change to the lineup.
- Conservative pushback includes large online petitions and planned counterprogramming, while a Trump adviser’s ICE-at-the-Super-Bowl claim was later countered by a White House statement saying there was no tangible plan.