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By Lillie Jaenchen
The controversy surrounding the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show continues.
A petition to replace current performer Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican rapper, with country music legend George Strait builds momentum with over 50,000 signatures.
“The Super Bowl halftime show should unite our country, honor American culture, and remain family-friendly, not be turned into a political stunt,” wrote petition organizer Kar Shell.
The NFL announced that Bad Bunny would headline the show at the end of September, quickly sparking outrage over his predominantly Spanish-language music catalog and anti-ICE stances.
The musician responded to the accusations on SNL, saying English-speaking Americans have “four months to learn Spanish.”
Shell, writing on the change.org petition, explained that the Super Bowl halftime show is one of the most watched broadcasts worldwide, “celebrating not just the sport but the cultural tapestry of America.”
“In recent years, this performance has leaned increasingly towards modern pop and international artists. While this approach certainly broadens the audience, it’s pivotal to remember the roots that have made American music what it is today,” Shell said.
Shell and the thousands who’ve signed the petition seem to agree that Bad Bunny doesn’t represent any of the American values most Super Bowl viewers hold dear: “…his drag performances and style are the opposite of what families expect on football’s biggest stage.”
Strait, meanwhile, “embodies unity, tradition, and the timeless American music that truly deserves the 2026 Super Bowl spotlight.”
The petition cites the “King of Country”’s four plus decades in the industry, his 60 No. 1 hits and his “ability to transcend generations” as reason enough to serve as a replacement.
Related: Will Lee Greenwood Replace Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl Halftime Show?
The NFL has yet to respond to the petition.
But the Super Bowl halftime show already has some competition.
Turning Point USA, founded by the late Charlie Kirk, announced earlier this month that it will host “The All American Halftime Show” on Feb. 8, 2026, as an alternate to Bad Bunny.
“It’s true, Turning Point USA is thrilled to announce The All American Halftime Show,” the organization wrote in an Oct. 9 X post. “Performers and event details coming soon.”
🚨 HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
It’s true, Turning Point USA is thrilled to announce The All American Halftime Show.
Performers and event details coming soon.
Who would you rather see perform?
2.8.2026https://t.co/HBHGfXj6yU pic.twitter.com/HYUs6BqgVL
— Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) October 9, 2025
Though few details have been released, it will likely draw a big audience.
Christian artists like Cory Asbury and Forrest Frank also signaled that they would be interested in helping create a family-friendly alternative.
“So what if we threw together an alternate show at a different venue with just the biggest Christian artists and glorified the name of Jesus on a gigantic scale at a gigantic level,” Asbury said in an early October Instagram video. “I’ve already talked to my boy Forrest. He is down to clown. He’s down to play music, is what I mean. Who else would you want to see there?”
Just that post alone has over half a million likes.
Whether or not the NFL replaces Bad Bunny with Strait, it looks like many Super Bowl fans would prefer a family-friendly act headline one of the biggest music performances of the year.
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