President Trump Cites Performer Selection and Distance in Decision to Skip Super Bowl 60

2026-01-25 general

Santa Clara, Sunday, 25 January 2026.
President Trump confirmed he will not attend Super Bowl 60 on February 8, explicitly rejecting the entertainment lineup of Green Day and Bad Bunny as a “terrible choice” alongside citing travel constraints to Santa Clara.

Logistical Constraints vs. Recent Itinerary

In an interview conducted at the Oval Office on January 24, 2026, President Trump stated that the cross-country journey to California was a primary deterrent, remarking, “It’s just too far away… I would go if, you know, it was a little bit shorter” [2][6]. Despite this claim, the President maintained that he has “great hands” for the event and that the organizers “like me” [2]. However, this travel hesitation contrasts with his schedule earlier this month; he attended the College Football National Championship in Miami on January 19 and returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22 [6]. The Super Bowl is scheduled to take place on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California [1].

The Entertainment Controversy

Beyond logistics, the President expressed strong disapproval of the NFL’s entertainment roster, specifically targeting the pre-game act Green Day and halftime headliner Bad Bunny [2]. Speaking to the press, Trump declared, “I’m anti-them,” describing the lineup as a “terrible choice” that “sows hatred” [2][5]. Both musical acts publicly supported former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle [1]. The President’s criticism follows an October 2025 interview in which he claimed he had “never heard of” Bad Bunny, dismissing the selection process as “ridiculous” [2].

A Clash of Cultures and Politics

The friction between the administration and the selected artists is rooted in a history of vocal opposition. Green Day, a band formed in the East Bay Area, has frequently utilized their platform to criticize the President [3]. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong recently altered the lyrics of the band’s hit “American Idiot” during televised performances to sing, “I’m not a part of a MAGA agenda” [4]. Furthermore, in July 2025, Armstrong led a festival crowd in a chant derogatory toward the President [3].

Cultural Messaging and Market Positioning

The conflict extends to the halftime show’s headliner, Bad Bunny, who has previously condemned the administration’s immigration policies and treatment of Puerto Rico [3]. Reports indicate the artist plans to use the performance to honor Puerto Rican queer icons, further diverging from the President’s political stance [3]. The NFL appears to be embracing this cultural shift, promoting Super Bowl 60 as a global showcase with the Spanish tagline “El 8 de febrero, el mundo bailará” (On February 8, the world will dance) [4]. This marketing strategy highlights a multicultural focus that stands in stark contrast to the President’s rhetoric regarding the performers.

Historical Context and Upcoming Matchups

President Trump’s absence breaks a recent pattern of attendance at major sporting events; he was present at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on February 9, 2025 [2][4]. While political tensions regarding immigration enforcement simmer in the South Bay host region [4], the league is moving forward with the championship weekend. As of January 25, the final matchup is being determined among the remaining contenders: the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks [4]. The President, meanwhile, spent January 24 signing congressional bills and conducting policy meetings in Washington [6].

Sources

Donald Trump Super Bowl