Backlash Grows Over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Role

A petition to replace Bad Bunny with George Strait as the 2026 Super Bowl halftime performer has sparked a nationwide debate over culture, identity, and American musical traditions.

A growing petition calling for country legend George Strait to replace Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny as the 2026 Super Bowl halftime performer has ignited fierce cultural debate across the United States. Launched on Change.org by a user under the pseudonym “Kar Shell,” the campaign argues that recent halftime shows have drifted from “American roots” and urges the NFL to showcase traditional country music instead.

Supporters claim Strait “embodies the heart and soul of American music,” while critics accuse the movement of masking cultural bias against Latin artists. The controversy intensified after several Trump-aligned figures publicly opposed Bad Bunny’s headlining role, with one promising to send immigration agents to the event — despite the artist being a U.S. citizen by birth in Puerto Rico.

Bad Bunny, whose global influence spans reggaeton, rap, and Latin trap, responded light-heartedly, saying fans have “four months to learn Spanish.” His comment quickly went viral, reinforcing his stance as both an entertainer and cultural symbol.

Industry observers note that the backlash reveals broader divisions in American entertainment, where questions of identity, inclusion, and national pride increasingly shape public discourse. Analysts also point out that Bad Bunny’s immense global reach — over 50 million followers on social media and multiple chart-topping hits — contrasts sharply with Strait’s nostalgic appeal.

Despite the online uproar, organisers at Roc Nation and the NFL have yet to issue a statement. Last year’s halftime show attracted over 127 million viewers, and marketing experts suggest that controversy could actually boost this year’s anticipation.

As America’s cultural lines blur, the debate over the halftime stage has evolved beyond music — becoming a mirror of the nation’s struggle to reconcile its diversity with its traditions. In the spotlight of sport’s grandest spectacle, even a concert can become a referendum on identity.