Donald Trump Skips Super Bowl Over Bad Bunny & Green Day Halftime Show

Former President Donald Trump will not attend this year’s Super Bowl, citing dissatisfaction with the scheduled halftime performers, Bad Bunny and Green Day. This decision, revealed to the New York Post on January 24, 2026, marks a departure from his attendance at last year’s game in New Orleans.

Trump Expresses Disapproval

Trump described the selection of Bad Bunny and Green Day as a “terrible choice,” asserting that their performance would “sow hatred.” Despite his criticism of the performers, Trump also indicated that the distance to San Francisco, California, where the 2026 Super Bowl will be held, factored into his decision not to attend. He stated he would consider attending if the game were closer.

Did You Know? Donald Trump attended last year’s Super Bowl in New Orleans, where the Kansas City Chiefs played the Philadelphia Eagles.

Artistic Opposition

Bad Bunny previously expressed reluctance to perform in the United States due to concerns about the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Trump administration. In September 2025, he stated his hesitation stemmed from the possibility of ICE presence at his concerts. Following the announcement of Bad Bunny as a halftime performer, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reportedly threatened a significant ICE presence at the Super Bowl.

Green Day has also demonstrated opposition to Trump, selling shirts featuring his mugshot in 2023 to raise funds for wildfire relief. The band also altered the lyrics of their song “American Idiot” to criticize Trump’s political agenda.

Expert Insight: The public statements from both Bad Bunny and Green Day, and Trump’s response, highlight a growing intersection of political expression and popular entertainment, potentially influencing fan engagement and broader cultural conversations surrounding major events like the Super Bowl.

Potential Future Developments

Should Trump continue to publicly criticize performers based on their political views, it could establish a precedent for future presidential involvement in Super Bowl entertainment choices. It is possible that future artists may be more cautious about expressing political opinions, or that the NFL may seek performers with broader appeal to avoid controversy. Alternatively, the NFL could embrace diverse viewpoints, positioning the Super Bowl halftime show as a platform for social commentary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Donald Trump skipping the Super Bowl?

Donald Trump stated he is skipping the Super Bowl due to his disapproval of the halftime performers, Bad Bunny and Green Day, and the distance to the game’s location in San Francisco.

Why does Bad Bunny have concerns about performing in the U.S.?

Bad Bunny expressed concerns about potential ICE presence at his concerts in the United States, stemming from the Trump administration’s deportation policies.

Has Green Day publicly opposed Donald Trump before?

Yes, Green Day sold shirts featuring Donald Trump’s mugshot to raise money for wildfire relief and altered the lyrics of their song “American Idiot” to criticize his political agenda.

How might the intersection of politics and entertainment influence future Super Bowl halftime show selections?