Trump Declines Super Bowl Attendance, Criticizes California Venue and Halftime Performers

25 January 2026 Politics

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Former President Donald Trump announced he will not attend the upcoming Super Bowl scheduled for Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, citing the distance as a primary reason and criticizing the choice of halftime performers. Trump, who attended last year’s Super Bowl in New Orleans, expressed his disapproval of the NFL’s selection of Bad Bunny and Green Day for the halftime show, calling it a “terrible choice.”

Speaking to the New York Post, Trump said, “It’s just too far away. I would, I’ve [gotten] great hands [at] the Super Bowl. They like me.” Despite his previous attendance at the 2025 game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, he remarked that the California venue is too distant for him to make the trip this year. “I would go if, you know, it was a little bit shorter,” he added.

Trump’s criticism of Bad Bunny is not new. When the Puerto Rican artist was announced as a headline performer last year, Trump expressed confusion and disapproval, telling Newsmax, “I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s crazy.” He also blamed the NFL’s choice on a promoter hired to select the performers.

The Super Bowl, one of the most watched sporting events in the United States, has often been a platform for high-profile entertainers. The NFL’s decision to feature Bad Bunny, known for his reggaeton and Latin trap music, alongside the rock band Green Day, reflects the league’s ongoing efforts to appeal to diverse audiences. However, Trump’s comments underscore the continuing cultural and political divides surrounding the event.

Levi’s Stadium, located near San Jose, has hosted major sporting events since its opening in 2014. The stadium’s location on the West Coast has occasionally drawn criticism from East Coast figures due to travel considerations. The NFL’s official site provides extensive details about the venue and its amenities.

Trump’s decision to skip the game comes amid a broader pattern of public statements where he critiques cultural and entertainment choices, often reflecting his political base’s preferences. The NFL, meanwhile, continues to promote the Super Bowl as a unifying event, with the halftime show as a centerpiece.

For more information on the Super Bowl and NFL events, visit the NFL’s official Super Bowl page. Details about Levi’s Stadium can be found at the Levi’s Stadium official site. To understand the broader context of presidential attendance at major sporting events, the White House official website offers historical records and statements. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides guidelines for safe attendance at large events, relevant as the nation continues to navigate public health considerations.

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Alison Grant writes about jobs, inflation, corporate power and household finances. She focuses on how economic trends show up in paychecks, bills and everyday decisions for workers, families and small business owners.
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