It looks like this year’s Super Bowl halftime show might become the biggest culture clash in years. After the NFL announced Bad Bunny as the headliner for Super Bowl LX in February 2026, more than 100,000 fans signed a petition demanding the league replace him with country legend George Strait.
The online campaign, started by fan Kar Shell, quickly went viral. What began as frustration over the choice of a Spanish-speaking artist snowballed into a national conversation about identity, values, and what the halftime show really represents. For some, it’s not just about who performs, it’s about who represents “American culture.” For others, it’s a reminder that music, like football, has gone global.
Bad Bunny Already Faced Backlash Before, When Trump Called Him “Ridiculous”
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl spotlight was already under fire before this petition even took off. Earlier in October, Donald Trump mocked the NFL’s decision to pick him for the halftime show, calling it “crazy” and “absolutely ridiculous” during a Newsmax interview. He even admitted he had “no idea who Bad Bunny is,” which quickly became the internet’s favorite meme.
Still, the league didn’t flinch. Commissioner Roger Goodell stood firm, saying Bad Bunny was chosen because he’s “one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world.” Goodell pointed out that the Puerto Rican star wasn’t just a performer, he was a bridge to connect the NFL with a global fan base.
And he’s got a point. Bad Bunny was the most-streamed artist globally on Spotify in 2022 with more than 18.5 billion streams, and his World’s Hottest Tour set a new record by grossing about US$435 million in 2022. He’s more than just a musician now, he’s a worldwide phenomenon who moves culture, not just charts.
The Halftime Petition Turned Into A Country VS. Culture Battle
As the petition gained traction, fans started treating it like a referendum on modern America. The comments section turned into a full-blown debate, with country fans arguing for a “family-friendly” show rooted in tradition, while others accused the movement of rejecting cultural diversity.
Many of the petition’s supporters suggested replacing Bad Bunny with artists like George Strait, Luke Combs, or Dolly Parton icons who represent the classic country sound. Critics, however, pointed out that the backlash says more about shifting American demographics than music preferences. “This isn’t about English or Spanish,” one fan wrote. “It’s about who people think the Super Bowl belongs to.”
Meanwhile, pop-culture observers say this isn’t the first time the halftime stage has become a mirror for cultural identity. From Beyoncé’s political performance to Shakira and J-Lo’s Latin-infused set, every era has reflected America’s ongoing tug-of-war between comfort and change.
In the end, Bad Bunny’s halftime performance might do more than just fill 12 minutes; it might define how inclusive the NFL wants to be in the 2020s. Whether the petition reaches Congress or just the comment section, the debate over who deserves that stage says a lot about where the country stands today.
Published: Nov 4, 2025 02:22 pm