Political polarization just crashed Super Bowl LX’s halftime show with surgical precision. A recent Quinnipiac University survey reveals that 63% of Republicans disapprove of Bad Bunny headlining the February 8, 2026 show at Levi’s Stadium, while roughly 75% of Democrats embrace the choice. This isn’t just about music taste—it’s about America grappling with its first Spanish-language halftime performer at the nation’s biggest cultural moment.
The demographic splits tell the real story here. Hispanic and Black respondents support the Puerto Rican reggaeton superstar at 65% and 61% respectively, while only 41% of White respondents—and less than 40% of those over 50—approve. Meanwhile, 64% of the 18-34 crowd is fully on board.
You’re watching America’s cultural fault lines crack in real time, with Bad Bunny as the unlikely seismometer.
The backlash has real momentum. A petition demanding George Strait replace Bad Bunny has gathered over 96,000 signatures. Trump called the booking “crazy” and claimed he’s “never heard of” the artist who’s dominated global streaming charts for years. Turning Point USA is organizing a competing “All American Halftime Show” because apparently nothing says patriotism quite like a musical counter-protest.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Jay-Z aren’t budging. Jay-Z dismissed the criticism, saying the artist has genuine support despite vocal opposition. The league describes the decision as “carefully thought through,” banking on Bad Bunny’s massive global reach over domestic comfort zones. They’re betting America’s future looks more like his fanbase than his detractors.
While Bad Bunny dominates headlines, the NFL is hedging its entertainment bets. Sting will headline the Super Bowl LX Studio 60 concert at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts on February 6, with tickets starting at $750. The rock legend previously co-headlined the 2003 halftime show with Shania Twain and No Doubt.
Country star Chris Stapleton rounds out the weekend lineup on February 7, creating a musical spectrum designed to satisfy multiple demographics.
This controversy reveals how entertainment choices now carry political weight in ways previous generations couldn’t imagine. Bad Bunny’s halftime show won’t just be 12 minutes of music—it’ll be a cultural litmus test broadcast to over 100 million Americans, marking a pivotal moment in how the nation’s premier entertainment stage reflects its changing identity.
