The Super Bowl halftime show always stirs up talk, but this year’s pick has gone next level. Bad Bunny, the chart-topping Puerto Rican artist, is set to headline Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Then the White House dropped a bombshell: President Donald Trump might prefer Kid Rock instead.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made the comment during a February 5 briefing. It came in response to Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy’s question about Trump’s plans for the Mar-a-Lago Super Bowl party. The statement has fueled a firestorm online, with fans and critics clashing over music, politics, and what belongs on America’s biggest stage.
Bad Bunny’s selection by the NFL marks a bold move. He’s the first Latin trap artist to headline solo, following duos like Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in 2020. His hits, mostly in Spanish, have made him Spotify’s most-streamed artist for years. But his outspoken views on Puerto Rican issues and past jabs at Trump have some calling the choice divisive.
The White House Weighs In
Leavitt’s words were clear and direct. “I think the president would much prefer a Kid Rock performance over Bad Bunny. I must say that,” she told reporters. The remark echoed Trump’s earlier comments in a New York Post interview, where he said he wouldn’t attend the game due to dissatisfaction with the halftime act.
Trump plans to skip Bad Bunny entirely. Instead, he’ll tune into an alternative show hosted by conservative group Turning Point USA. Kid Rock headlines that event, joined by country stars like Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. Leavitt framed it as a preference for something more aligned with Trump’s tastes.
BREAKING: Karoline Leavitt said President Trump will be watching Kid Rock’s performance over Bad Bunny’s during the Super Bowl Halftime
EVERYONE ELSE SHOULD DO THE SAME
LET’S FREAKING GO 🔥 pic.twitter.com/orfPKkOFLL
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) February 5, 2026
This isn’t the first time politics has crashed the Super Bowl party. Past shows have sparked debates, from Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction in 2004 to Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protests. But a sitting president’s public snub adds a fresh layer.
Kid Rock, a longtime Trump supporter, has performed at White House events before. His rock-rap style and patriotic anthems like “American Bad Ass” fit the alternative show’s “All-American” vibe. Turning Point USA promotes it as free from “woke lectures” or “anti-America nonsense.”
What’s Behind the Boycott
The roots of this controversy trace back to Bad Bunny’s activism. The artist, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has criticized U.S. handling of Puerto Rico, especially after Hurricane Maria. He’s also slammed Trump in songs and speeches, once throwing shade during a 2020 awards show.
Conservatives have piled on since the NFL announcement in September 2025. Former racer Danica Patrick called out Bad Bunny’s lack of English songs, saying they shouldn’t feature at such a major U.S. event. Others label him “anti-American” for his stances on immigration and Puerto Rican independence.
Bad Bunny remains unbothered. In interviews, he’s highlighted the platform’s reach, noting over 100 million viewers tune in annually. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised the choice as a way to celebrate diverse audiences. “Bad Bunny understands the magnitude,” Goodell said.
Puerto Rico’s status as a U.S. territory makes Bad Bunny an American citizen. His music blends reggaeton, trap, and pop, drawing fans across borders. Tracks like “Moscow Mule” and “Tití Me Preguntó” dominate global charts, proving language isn’t a barrier for many.
Still, the boycott call resonates in some circles. Trump supporters echo Leavitt’s sentiment, planning to switch channels during halftime. It’s a reminder of how entertainment and politics overlap in divided times.
Public Reactions Pour In
Social media buzzed after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s February 5 briefing. Bad Bunny fans hailed his history-making set: first solo Latino headliner as a Latin culture win, blaming backlash on politics like his Grammy ICE callout. Conservatives rallied for Kid Rock’s “All-American” counter with Brantley Gilbert and Lee Brice, calling it a stand against “woke” NFL picks.
The NFL stays neutral, focusing on the game’s excitement between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. Halftime remains a highlight, but this year, it’s also a battleground.
As kickoff nears, one thing’s clear: the Super Bowl unites people through football, but halftime divides them over tastes and beliefs. Will Trump’s preference sway viewers, or will Bad Bunny’s star power win the day? That choice reflects bigger questions about unity in a diverse nation.
What do you think?