Petition Started to Replace Bad Bunny with George Strait for Super Bowl Halftime Show

A petition has emerged, urging the NFL to swap out Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny for country music icon George Strait during the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show.

The petition launched this week on Change.org and has gained over 5,100 signatures as of now. The organizers claim George Strait would bring unity to America, while they argue Bad Bunny is merely engaging in a “political stunt.”

“The Super Bowl halftime show should aim to unite the country, honor American culture, be family-friendly, and avoid being used for political messages. Bad Bunny embodies none of these values,” the petition states. “George Strait symbolizes unity, tradition, and enduring American music, making him a more fitting choice for the 2026 Super Bowl.”

As of now, neither the NFL nor George Strait has publicly addressed the petition.

A report notes that the Super Bowl halftime show only became a cultural phenomenon after Michael Jackson’s performance in 1993. Prior to that, many viewers switched off during the halftime, which led the NFL to rework the show to keep ratings strong.

The shift happened in 1993. The first 26 Super Bowls featured halftime shows that resembled glorified breaks. I remember taking a long time just to make a quick trip to the bathroom and grab a snack.

Sure, there were some faded stars like Carol Channing in 1972, but most halftime shows fell flat leading to cultural cringes, like the performance by Elvis Presto, the impersonator who gave a magic show in 1989. And let’s not forget Up with People, the predominantly white group that serenaded audiences about people.

But everything changed in 1993. We owe a nod to Fox.

In coverage by another outlet, it was pointed out that Bad Bunny has openly criticized ICE, even stating he wouldn’t perform in the U.S. amid the Trump administration’s policies.

“Honestly, I can’t risk my fans’ safety like that. I feel like I’ve already performed in the States plenty, and they’ve had their chances to see me live,” Bad Bunny remarked before his NFL selection.

He also shared with a magazine that he worried his concerts in the U.S. might attract ICE agents.

“The concern is there could be some ICE agents showing up at my concerts. That’s a serious issue we’re thinking about,” he noted.

After the NFL confirmed his appearance, Bad Bunny reflected that performing at the halftime show was incredibly meaningful for him.

“What I’m feeling is bigger than myself. It’s for those who paved the way for me and made it possible for me to achieve this,” he said, stressing its significance to his culture and history.