Months after he was announced as the headliner for the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show, the backlash against Bad Bunny performing at the big game still continues.
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The petition to replace the reggaeton star with country star George Strait now has over 120,000 signatures. And while President Donald Trump claims to have never heard of the "Moscow Mule" singer, he and other politicians have voiced their objections over the NFL's selection.
"It sounds like he's not someone who appeals to a broader audience," said Speaker of the House Mike Johnson at the time. "And there are so many eyes on the Super Bowl, for a lot of young and impressionable children. In my view, you would have Lee Greenwood or role models doing that. Not somebody like this."
In the wake of the controversy, another band has been added to the big game's musical rotation. Green Day has been selected to open Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8.
Why is the legendary punk trio a controversial choice? We'll explain below.
Green Day Is Known for Being Critical of American Politics and Culture
As Green Day got its start in the Bay Area in the late 1980s, inviting the band to perform in Santa Clara seems like a no-brainer.
"We are super hyped to open Super Bowl 60 right in our backyard," said lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong in a statement. "We are honored to welcome the MVPs who've shaped the game and open the night for fans all over the world. Let's have fun! Let's get loud!"
However, the group does not fit the kind of performers Johnson suggested for the event. "Longview," the band's first major hit, references drug use and masturbation, which are not typically considered family-friendly topics.
Then there's American Idiot, the 2004 concept album from Green Day that was inspired by the country's culture during the George W. Bush administration.
In July of this year, Armstrong encouraged an audience to chant "f*** Donald Trump" during a show in Belgium. At another show, he called the leader a "fat bastard."
Who Else Is Performing at the Super Bowl?
Charlie Puth will perform the national anthem, while Brandi Carlile will sing "America The Beautiful". Coco Jones is also scheduled to perform. Sting will also put on a concert in San Francisco during the weekend of the game.
