President Trump said he won’t be attending the Super Bowl this year. He made it clear during an Oval Office interview that he strongly dislikes the musicians chosen for the halftime show of the event in San Francisco on February 8, 2025.
According to the NY Post, the real reason Trump is skipping the game isn’t about the performers, though. He explained that San Francisco is simply too far for him to travel. “It’s just too far away,” Trump said, adding that he would attend “if it was a little bit shorter.”
Trump mentioned that fans have been welcoming to him at previous Super Bowls. “I’ve gotten great hands for the Super Bowl, they like me,” he said. The distance from Washington to San Francisco appears to be the main factor keeping him away this time.
Operation Sports App
Your ultimate companion for sports gaming. Access in-depth coverage, thoughtful discussion, and a community built around the games—and sports—you love.
Your ultimate sports gaming companion.
The halftime performers have been open critics of the president
While distance keeps Trump from attending, he made his opinion about the entertainment very clear. This year’s halftime show features Latin rap star Bad Bunny and punk rock band Green Day. Both performers have publicly criticized Trump in the past.
“I’m anti-them,” Trump stated directly. “I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible.” The controversy surrounding these entertainment choices has dominated sports headlines, much like how other sports figures navigate public scrutiny.
Bad Bunny, known as the King of Latin Trap, was born in Puerto Rico and has a massive Spanish-language fan base. Last year, he released a song called “Nuevayol” that included an imitated Trump voice making a mock apology to immigrants.
The imitated voice says: “I want to apologize to the immigrants in America. . . . This country is nothing without the immigrants. This country is nothing without Mexicans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Venezuelans, Cubans.” This kind of political statement explains why Trump isn’t happy with the choice.
Green Day’s lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong has also been vocal about his political views. Last week, Armstrong supported anti-deportation protesters in Minnesota. He said: “I’m not a part of a redneck agenda. I’m not a part of the MAGA agenda.” Having both politically outspoken acts on the same stage has created tension with the administration. Some public figures face similar scrutiny when their second careers take unexpected turns.
Published: Jan 24, 2026 12:00 pm