Trump Skips Super Bowl LX Amid Fears of Crowd Boos

President cites distance and halftime performers as reasons, but aides worry about potential backlash from attendees.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 1:31pm

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President Donald Trump has decided not to attend Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, citing the distance and his dislike of the halftime performers as reasons. However, reports indicate that Trump's aides are actually concerned he would be aggressively booed by the crowd of up to 70,000 spectators if he were to attend the game.

Why it matters

Trump's decision not to attend the Super Bowl is seen as an attempt to avoid potential public backlash, as his popularity has taken a hit in recent months due to a lagging economy and controversial immigration enforcement policies. The president's attendance at last year's Super Bowl in New Orleans did not go over well, and his aides are worried a similar negative reaction could go viral and create unwanted media coverage.

The details

While Trump has cited the distance to Santa Clara and his dislike of halftime performers Bad Bunny and Green Day as reasons for skipping this year's Super Bowl, reports indicate his aides are more concerned about the likelihood of him being aggressively booed by the large crowd. Several presidential advisers believe there is a 'rather high' chance Trump would face a hostile reception from the up to 70,000 spectators at Levi's Stadium.

  • President Trump attended last year's Super Bowl in New Orleans.
  • Super Bowl LX is scheduled for Sunday, February 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM local time in Santa Clara, California.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who has a history of attending major events like the Super Bowl but is skipping this year's game amid concerns about potential booing from the crowd.

Bad Bunny

A Puerto Rican rapper scheduled to perform during the Super Bowl LX halftime show, whom Trump has criticized as a 'terrible choice' that 'sows hatred'.

Green Day

A pop-punk rock band scheduled to perform during the Super Bowl LX halftime show, whom Trump has also criticized as a 'terrible choice'.

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What they’re saying

“I'm anti-them. I think it's a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (The Independent)

What’s next

The Seattle Seahawks will battle the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on February 9, 2026.

The takeaway

President Trump's decision to skip the Super Bowl highlights the growing political divisions in the country, as his aides fear he would face a hostile reception from the large crowd. This reflects the president's declining popularity and the challenges he faces in maintaining a unifying public presence, even at major national events.