The NFL’s decision to select Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican global superstar, as the headliner for the Super Bowl LX halftime show has sparked a cultural firestorm, pitting tradition against modernity and igniting a fierce debate about what—and who—should represent American music on the nation’s biggest stage. While the Super Bowl halftime show is no stranger to controversy, this year’s announcement has unleashed a torrent of petitions, public statements, and even plans for a rival halftime event, revealing deep divides over identity, culture, and the evolving face of American entertainment.
It all began on October 14, 2025, when the NFL officially named Bad Bunny as the headline performer for Super Bowl LX. The game is set for Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Almost immediately, petitions began circulating online, demanding that the league replace Bad Bunny with George Strait, the legendary country singer widely known as the “King of Country.” According to MLive and Postmedia, one of the most prominent Change.org petitions, started by a user named Kar Shell, had already amassed over 7,700 signatures by early afternoon that Tuesday. Another petition, opposing Bad Bunny’s selection without naming a replacement, surpassed 10,000 signatures, highlighting the intensity of the backlash.
The petitioners’ message was clear: “The Super Bowl halftime show should unite our country, honor American culture, and remain family-friendly, not be turned into a political stunt,” the petition read, as cited by MLive. “Bad Bunny represents none of these values; his drag performances and style are the opposite of what families expect on football’s biggest stage. Again, George Strait embodies unity, tradition, and the timeless American music that truly deserves the 2026 Super Bowl spotlight.”
For many fans, Strait’s credentials are beyond dispute. Born George Harvey Strait Sr. on May 18, 1952, he has sold over 120 million records worldwide, with more than 70 million in the U.S. alone, according to Article 2. He holds the RIAA record with 33 platinum or gold albums and boasts 60 No. 1 songs across all charts, including 44 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs. Strait’s influence on country music is profound; he’s credited with pioneering the neotraditional country movement and maintaining an authentic cowboy image that resonates with millions. As one petition supporter put it, “George Strait is a country classic, one hundred times better than Bad Bunny.”
But the push for Strait is not just about numbers or nostalgia. It’s about values, identity, and what many see as the erosion of traditional American culture. Petitioners argue that recent halftime shows have “leaned increasingly towards modern pop and international artists,” broadening the audience but drifting from the roots that made American music what it is today. “His ability to transcend generations with his timeless songs resonates with a diverse demographic,” the petition claims, “welcoming both longtime fans and newcomers.”
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is no stranger to breaking barriers. With three Grammy wins and the distinction of being the second-most-streamed artist on Spotify behind Taylor Swift as of 2025, his influence is undeniable. His selection as the first Latin trap artist to headline the Super Bowl is a historic milestone for representation in the entertainment industry. Yet, critics point to his gender-fluid performances, Spanish-language songs, and outspoken views as evidence that he’s not the right fit for “football’s biggest night.” As highlighted in Postmedia, some detractors argue that Bad Bunny’s style and politics clash with the values they believe the halftime show should embody.
The debate has even reached the highest levels of government. Former President Donald Trump weighed in, telling reporters, “I never heard of him, I don’t know who he is, I don’t know why they’re doing it, it’s, like, crazy.” Trump claimed that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell blamed the decision on “some promoter they hired,” which the former president called “absolutely ridiculous.” The controversy has also inspired right-wing political organization Turning Point USA to announce an “All American Halftime Show” for February 8, 2026, as a counter-event. While no performers have been revealed, the move underscores the extent to which the halftime show has become a battleground for cultural and political values.
Bad Bunny himself has responded to the uproar with characteristic humor. During a 2025 appearance on Saturday Night Live, he joked that non-Spanish speakers have “four months to learn” before the big show. The quip, while lighthearted, didn’t exactly win over his critics. For many, it only reinforced the sense that the halftime show is drifting away from what they consider mainstream American culture.
Supporters of Bad Bunny, however, see his selection as a reflection of America’s increasingly multicultural identity and the global reach of Latin music. They argue that his presence on the Super Bowl stage is a celebration of diversity, progress, and the breaking down of longstanding barriers in the entertainment industry. As Article 2 notes, Bad Bunny’s career has been built on redefining Latin music’s global influence and challenging conventions—qualities that resonate with a younger, more diverse generation of fans.
The NFL, for its part, has remained silent on the petitions and is widely expected to stand by its decision. As Article 2 points out, it’s highly unlikely that the lineup will change, despite the mounting pressure. Yet the conversation reveals just how symbolic the halftime show has become—a reflection of not only musical taste, but also of identity, culture, and what America wants to celebrate on its biggest stage.
The controversy has laid bare a larger cultural divide, one that extends well beyond the football field. On one side are those who see the halftime show as an opportunity to honor tradition, unity, and the so-called “heart and soul” of American music. On the other are those who believe the show should reflect the country’s evolving demographics, global influence, and the broadening definition of what it means to be American.
As the petitions continue to gather signatures and rival events are planned, one thing is clear: the Super Bowl halftime show is more than just a performance. It’s a mirror of America’s ongoing debate about who gets to stand in the spotlight—and what their music says about the nation itself. Whether fans are rooting for cowboy hats and fiddles or for reggaeton beats and Spanish lyrics, the conversation around Super Bowl LX is sure to echo long after the final whistle blows.
