Fans launch petition for country music legend to replace Bad Bunny in Super Bowl halftime show amid MAGA outrage

A petition has been launched for country music legend George Strait to replace Bad Bunny in the Super Bowl halftime show amid fears the anti-Donald Trump rapper will turn it into a 'political stunt.'

Bad Bunny, real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was controversially unveiled as the halftime act for Super Bowl LX in California last month, an announcement which caused a stir given his well-known disdain for Trump's immigration policies.

MAGA commentators have hit out at the decision to hand the prestigious musical honor to Antonio, who recently refused to tour in the US over concerns that his fans would be targeted by ICE agents. 

A number of fans want the NFL and Jay Z's Roc Nation company - which has helped decide the Super Bowl halftime act since 2019 - to rethink their decision ahead of the end-of-season showpiece in February.

And according to one new petition, Strait should be the man to replace Bad Bunny at Santa Clara's Levi's Stadium in February. 

The Change.org petition, which was started by Kar Shell, describes the halftime show as a celebration of 'the cultural tapestry of America' despite recent performances leaning 'increasingly towards modern pop and international artists.'

It then goes on to argue the case for 73-year-old Strait, the iconic singer, songwriter, actor and producer considered by many as the 'King of Country Music.'

'[He] embodies the heart and soul of American music. With over 60 No. 1 hits and more than 40 years in the music industry, George Strait is not only a legend in the country music genre but a staple in American musical history. His ability to transcend generations with his timeless songs resonates with a diverse demographic, welcoming both long-time fans and newcomers,' the petition reads.

Shell then rips into the prospect of Bad Bunny, whose songs are almost exclusively in Spanish, bringing 'the opposite of what families expect on football's biggest stage' in Santa Clara.

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

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

The petition currently has 1,528 signatures at the time of writing.

Multiple petitions have been set up in protest at Bad Bunny performing the halftime show, with a separate listing already surpassing 10,000 signatures - despite not offering up a potential replacement.

Last week Trump finally weighed in on the controversy surrounding Bad Bunny, who was recently spotted refusing to stand for a rendition of 'God Bless America' at a New York Yankees game, branding the decision to hand him the Super Bowl gig 'crazy'.

The President told Newsmax that he was unfamiliar with the 31-year-old musician but that the NFL was wrong to choose him given his previously stated dislike for Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

'I never heard of him, I don't know who he is, I don't know why they're doing it, it's like, crazy,' he said. 

Trump also claims NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was blaming the decision 'on some promoter they hired.' 

'I think it's absolutely ridiculous,' the 79-year-old added.