LOS ANGELES – A wave of conservative backlash has crashed over the NFL’s announcement of Bad Bunny as the headliner for Super Bowl LX’s halftime show, with fans launching a petition to replace the Puerto Rican superstar with country music legend George Strait. The Change.org campaign, started by Kar Shell on October 13, has garnered over 1,300 signatures in days, arguing for a performer who embodies “unity, tradition, and timeless American music” over what they call Bad Bunny’s “political stunt.”
The controversy erupted after the NFL revealed Bad Bunny—real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio—as the February 8, 2026, performer at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Known for his Latin trap hits and outspoken views, including skipping U.S. tours after the 2024 election, Bad Bunny has drawn ire from right-wing groups like Turning Point USA. Petitioners decry his “drag performances and style” as unfit for a “family-friendly” event, contrasting it with Strait’s wholesome appeal. “The Super Bowl should honor American culture, not turn into a political spectacle,” Shell wrote, praising the 73-year-old “King of Country” for over 60 No. 1 hits and his embodiment of “the heart and soul of American music.”
A separate Change.org effort to oust Bad Bunny without naming a replacement has surged past 10,000 signatures, amplifying calls for the NFL and Roc Nation—Jay-Z’s company curating the show since 2019—to reconsider. Past petitions, like the 224,000-signature push for Donna Kelce in 2023, show fan influence, but experts doubt a swap. “Halftime bookings are locked years out; this is more noise than negotiation,” said music industry analyst Bill Werde.
Bad Bunny, with 80 million monthly Spotify streams, has not commented, but allies like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defended him: “Celebrating Latin culture on America’s stage is unity.” Strait’s team remained silent, though his July flood relief concert drew 100,000 fans. As Super Bowl hype builds, the petition highlights cultural divides: Pop’s border-crossing energy versus country’s heartland roots. Will it sway the league? Unlikely—but it’s stirring the pot.
