A Change.org petition calling for replacing Latin superstar Bad Bunny with country music legend George Strait in the 2026 Super Bowl LX halftime show it exceeded the threshold of 100,000 signatures, reports the American portal Newsweek.
The initiative arose after the decision of the National Football League (NFL) that the Puerto Rican artist headline next year’s performance at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The promoters of the text maintain that Bad Bunny’s performances and style They are the opposite of what American families expect of the largest sporting event in the country.
The more than 100,000 supports ignite a cultural debate that goes beyond American identity and the diversity of the public. Your organizer, Kar Shelldefends that the Super Bowl halftime show should be suitable for the whole family that avoids politics, in addition to celebrating American musical traditions, especially country music, which – as he emphasizes – has been underrepresented in previous events.
The controversy transcends musical preferences and brings to light issues such as immigration, language and political involvement in sport.
In an interview given in October to the conservative network Newsmax, the former president Donald Trump He rejected the choice of Bad Bunny for the event, stating that he had never heard of him. “I don’t know who it is,” he said. “I don’t know why they do it. It’s crazy. I find it absolutely ridiculous.”
Turning Point USA, the organization co-founded by slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, also announced in October that it will host its own break show as counterprogramming al de la Super Bowl LX.
The Super Bowl is one of the few live events that families of all ages watch together, and the halftime show should entertain the entire audience without explicit or controversial content. Additionally, the petition highlights that approximately 78% of Americans only speak English and that music should build bridges, do not highlight differencescriticizing Bad Bunny’s comments about the need to learn another language to enjoy his show.
“The Super Bowl halftime show should unite our country, honor American culture and be family-friendly, not become a political stunt. Bad Bunny does not represent any of those values; his performances and style They are the opposite of what families expect of the biggest stage in American football,” states the text of the initiative.
The petition also proposes other country artists such as Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, Cody Johnson o Brooks & Dunnwhich – according to the signatories – could offer a show that honors American musical roots and at the same time is energetic and familiar.
For his part, the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodellfirmly stated in October that the league is not considering retiring Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and stressed that the choice was very thoughtfulremembering that the NFL rarely selects an artist without receiving some criticism.
The leader noted that the choice reflects the league’s commitment to a global audience. “He is one of the most important and popular artists in the world”said. “That’s what we’re trying to achieve. It’s a very relevant setting for us and a key element of the entertainment value.”