Fans launch viral petition to replace Bad Bunny with renowned ‘King of Country’ for Super Bowl halftime show

A petition to replace Grammy Award-winning rapper Bad Bunny with the “King of Country” George Strait as the Super Bowl halftime show performer is gaining steam online with thousands of fans on board

The announcement that Bad Bunny would perform on the NFL’s biggest stage has been met with controversy as many, including the organizer behind a Change.org petition, are worried the 31-year-old Puerto Rican singer — and frequent critic of President Trump — may turn the halftime show “into a political stunt.”

The petition against Bad Bunny, who had axed all US performances in his world tour over concerns about ICE raids, went up on Oct. 1 and has already garnered more than 10,000 signatures.

The petition suggested 73-year-old Strait, who boasts a celebrated discography with more than 60 top charting songs, in hopes that a changed tune could help the halftime show truly “pay tribute to American music’s rich heritage.”

“The Super Bowl halftime show should unite our country, honor American culture, and remain family-friendly, not be turned into a political stunt. Bad Bunny represents none of these values; his drag performances and style are the opposite of what families expect on football’s biggest stage,” the petition read.

“Again, George Strait embodies unity, tradition, and the timeless American music that truly deserves the 2026 Super Bowl spotlight.”

Some fans are highlighting the inappropriate lyrics and themes in Bad Bunny’s songs, while others seem frustrated with his preference to perform in his native tongue.

Bad Bunny’s discography, being more modern than the Baby Boomer country legend, is flushed with sexually explicit lyrics that would be bleeped out or altered to be more television friendly during the Super Bowl show.

Strait’s own songs are generally squeaky clean, save for a few soft innuendos.

In his 1984 song “The Fireman,” Strait sings about cooling down a woman his friend left “burnin’ out of control” by giving her “a little mouth to mouth.”

Other petitions with anywhere from 1,000 to 11,000 signatures insist that Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, be removed altogether without suggesting any alternatives.

Bad Bunny handily addressed the backlash during his SNL monologue during the 51st season’s premiere and told viewers that they “have four months to learn” Spanish.

Turning Point USA previously announced that it will be holding its own halftime show in competition with the NFL’s featuring an unspecified collection of performers.

House Speaker Mike Johnson nominated 83-year-old Lee Greenwood to replace Bad Bunny as well.

The 83-year-old country musician agreed that he would “make a great performer for any Super Bowl show,” but didn’t explicitly agree with taking Bad Bunny’s spot.