Tempers are flaring across the American political and cultural landscape after the National Football League’s decision to select Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny as the headliner for the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show in February 2026. What began as a routine entertainment announcement has mushroomed into a heated clash of values, identity, and patriotism, with conservative figures and right-wing commentators expressing outrage and vowing to mount a counter-programming effort of their own.
The controversy erupted on October 14, 2025, when images surfaced showing Bad Bunny sitting during the playing of “God Bless America” at a New York Yankees game. According to The Post Millennial, the sight of the global icon—who is a U.S. citizen by virtue of his Puerto Rican heritage—remaining seated during the patriotic anthem sent “MAGA country careening off the edge.” The incident struck a nerve, especially among supporters of former President Donald Trump, who have long viewed displays of perceived disrespect toward national symbols as an affront to American values.
Prominent right-wing commentators wasted no time in voicing their disapproval. Fox News contributor Tomi Lahren took to X (formerly Twitter) to declare, “Bad Bunny appears to stay seated during ‘God Bless America’ at Yankee Stadium… Yeah because he has a clear disdain for America. He’s an a–hole.” Jack Posobiec, another influential conservative voice, shared a link to The Post Millennial’s coverage and added to his 3.2 million followers, “This is the Super Bowl halftime performer. Why is the NFL allowing this commie to perform in the Super Bowl halftime show?” The backlash was swift and widespread, with pro-Trump accounts deriding the NFL’s choice and calling for Bad Bunny’s removal.
The criticism was not limited to media personalities. House Speaker Mike Johnson told PEOPLE, “It sounds like a terrible decision, in my view, from what I’m hearing. It sounds like he’s not someone who appeals to a broader audience. And there are so many eyes on the Super Bowl — for a lot of young and impressionable children…In my view, you would have Lee Greenwood or role models doing that. Not somebody like this.” Johnson’s remarks echoed those of former President Trump, who, despite admitting he had “never heard of him,” lambasted the selection as “absolutely ridiculous.” Trump added, “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.”
Lee Greenwood, the Grammy-winning country singer best known for his patriotic anthem “God Bless the USA,” threw his hat into the ring as a potential replacement. Speaking to the New York Post, Greenwood said, “I agree with Speaker Johnson. I would make a great performer for any Super Bowl show. I perform for various NFL teams every year, especially during their Salute to Service games. As a matter of fact, I will be doing halftime for the Dallas Cowboys during Monday Night Football on Nov. 3. Football is one of America’s most watched sports, and I am always thrilled to perform the anthem or ‘God Bless the USA’ during the games.” He added, “Maybe the NFL will have me perform this year at the Super Bowl prior to the game to have a stadium full of football fans singing ‘God Bless the USA’ to kick-off the game!”
Bad Bunny, for his part, has not shied away from addressing his critics. During an October 4 appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” the artist directly addressed the backlash, saying, “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.” He also emphasized the contributions of Puerto Ricans and Latin artists to American culture, stating, “It’s more than a win for myself, it’s a win for all of us. Our footprints and our contribution in this country — no one will ever be able to take that away or erase it.” According to i-D magazine, Bad Bunny explained his decision to exclude the U.S. from his 54-date world tour, citing concerns that “ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.”
The uproar over Bad Bunny’s selection has galvanized conservative groups to take action. On October 12, John Strand announced on X that Turning Point USA—a conservative nonprofit founded by the late Charlie Kirk, who passed away on September 10, 2025—would launch the first-ever American Patriot Super Bowl Halftime Show as a direct counter to the NFL’s official event. The counterprogram is scheduled to air opposite the Bad Bunny-led show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, 2026. The event poster prominently features Kid Rock as the rumored headliner, with other potential performers including Ted Nugent, Travis Tritt, Jason Aldean, Aaron Lewis (of Staind), John Rich, Lee Greenwood, Forgigato Blow, and a guest appearance by Measles. Strand cautioned, however, that the artist lineup is not yet official or confirmed.
Turning Point USA’s move is widely seen as a protest against what many conservatives perceive as the NFL’s embrace of artists who are critical of Trump and right-wing politics. The group’s announcement read, “WOW: It’s official. It’s happening. Turning Point USA is launching the first-ever American Patriot Super Bowl Halftime Show. This is how we win. This is how we take our country back.” The All American Halftime Show, as it is being called, has invited fans to share their favorite genres and artists, signaling an intent to rally a broad swath of conservative America around a parallel celebration of patriotism and traditional values.
Meanwhile, the NFL has remained largely silent in the face of the controversy, sticking by its decision to feature Bad Bunny—a move that reflects both the growing influence of Latin artists in American pop culture and the league’s desire to reach a more diverse, global audience. Yet, the backlash underscores the persistent cultural divides that continue to shape American society, especially at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and politics.
As the February 2026 Super Bowl approaches, all eyes will be on Levi’s Stadium—and on the dueling halftime shows that now symbolize much more than musical taste. The stage is set for a cultural showdown, with both sides claiming to represent the heart and soul of America. Whether fans tune in for Bad Bunny’s chart-topping hits or Kid Rock’s patriotic anthems, it’s clear that this year’s Super Bowl will be about more than just football.
