The culture war over the Super Bowl halftime show continues: A petition calls for the global star to be replaced by country singer George Strait
After various politicians close to Trump and other conservative personalities expressed their rejection of the Puerto Rican world star as an act for the halftime show of the Super Bowl 2026, a petition was launched to remove Bad Bunny from the stage and replace him with country singer George Strait. The letter said the Puerto Rican singer was unable to unite the U.S., “honor American culture” while “remaining family-friendly.” The petition now has over 50,000 signatures.
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After Bad Bunny was chosen as the Super Bowl act and there was heavy criticism from the conservative Republican camp, a pseudonymous organization called “Kar Shell” is now trying to counteract the alleged attack on American culture.
In her Change.org petition, “Kar Shell” calls on the NFL and Roc Nation to replace Bad Bunny with country singer George Strait. The reason: The halftime shows have recently been increasingly oriented towards “modern pop and international artists”. Instead, one must “remember the roots that made American music what it is today.” The annual Super Bowl halftime show is “a unique opportunity to pay tribute to the rich heritage of American music.” It should “unite our country, honor American culture and remain family-friendly instead of degenerating into a political show.”
George Strait: The true representative of American roots?
Bad Bunny apparently embodies none of these values from a conservative perspective. “His drag performances and style are the opposite of what families expect on football’s biggest stage,” the petition letter reads. Language is also an issue – Bad Bunny will sing in Spanish throughout the entire show. The musician responded to criticism by saying that English-speaking Americans now have four months to learn Spanish. After all, this is what other artists constantly expect.
Bad Bunny’s statement also angered Republicans. They are calling for a replacement and in the petition they suggest their favorite: George Strait. The country singer embodies “the heart and soul of American music.” “His ability to connect generations with his timeless songs resonates with a diverse audience,” it continues. “George Strait embodies unity, tradition and the timeless American music that truly deserves to be in the Super Bowl spotlight in 2026.” More than 50,000 people believe the petition’s claims are worthy of support.
This is how Republicans react to Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny will be the first male Latin solo artist at the Super Bowl halftime show. While the appearance at the most watched sporting event of the year represents a statement “for his people, their culture and their history” for Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, as his real name is, Corey Lewandowski, advisor to the Department of Homeland Security, sees it as a danger. Immediately after the announcement, he announced that an increased number of ICE officers would be positioned at the Super Bowl to protect visitors from the “dangerous influences” of a thirty-minute performance in Spanish. In an interview with Benny Johnson, he also said it was “shameful” to have someone appear “who has nothing to do with US values and hates the USA”. Bad Bunny had previously stated that they would not play any shows in the USA – out of fear of ICE raids.
Donald Trump also criticized the NFL’s selection: “I don’t know why they do this. It’s crazy… I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.” As if that weren’t enough headwind for Bad Bunny, who is currently the most streamed artist in the world, “Turning Point USA” – the organization of murdered right-wing extremist and MAGA supporter Charlie Kirk, now led by his widow Erika Kirk – is planning a counter-event to the halftime show. The “All American Half-Time Show” should celebrate the values of “faith, family and freedom”. Values that Bad Bunny supposedly does not represent – even though Puerto Rico is part of the USA.
But there are also many who support the musician – including Jennifer Lopez, who brought Bad Bunny on stage during her performance with Shakira in 2020. “Music and art transcend language. It doesn’t matter. He’s done that probably more than anyone of his generation,” Lopez said in an Oct. 6 interview on “CBS Mornings.”