A new cultural firestorm has engulfed the NFL for the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, as a petition by change.org demanding to change Bad Bunny over George Strait has crossed 50,000 signatures.
The petition launched by an individual under the pen name “Kar Shell,” has amassed over 50,000 signatures, vouching for a performance that aligns with what they are defining as “American values” and traditions.
Critics say Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny's performances in Spanish and frequent use of drag elements don’t fit the Super Bowl’s broad, family-oriented crowd.
They further argue his style clashes with the event’s tradition of spotlighting mainstream American artists.
The signatories who are in favor of the petition see George Strait as someone who is carrying the legacy of American music, citing his career spanning decades and so many hits that have now gained the status of classics.
They vouch that his inclusion would strengthen the tradition of performances that aim to promote “core American values.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem lashed out the decision, pointing to immigration enforcement at the events.
When asked if she has a message for the NFL, Kristi Noem responded, “The NFL s***ks and we’ll win. They are so weak. We will stand for America. They won’t be able to sleep at night. Well fix it…”
Former NASCAR, Danica Patrick, 43, also voiced disapproval on X (formerly Twitter) after Bad Bunny was announced as the Super Bowl Halftime Show performer.
She wrote on X, “Oh fun, (with an eye-rolled emoji) on September 29, 2025. No songs in English should not be allowed at one of America’s highest-rated television events of the year…not just for sports.”
The controversy spotlight a broader issue: how cultural representation should shape major American events.
Some celebrate a Latin artist’s inclusion as a step toward diversity, while others view it as a break from tradition.
The NFL and Roc Nation have not addressed the petition or its potential effect on the 2026 halftime lineup. As Super Bowl LX approaches, the clash highlights ongoing tensions over identity, inclusion, and the evolving definition of American culture.
