Letters to the Editor Discuss Super Bowl Halftime, Racism, and Democracy

Readers comment on Bad Bunny's performance, Trump's racism, and the fight to defend the Constitution.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The letters to the editor cover a range of topics, including praise for Bad Bunny's innovative Super Bowl halftime show performance, criticism of the racism and hypocrisy surrounding the reaction to his appearance, outrage over Donald Trump's racist social media posts, and a call to defend American democracy as the nation marks its 250th anniversary.

Why it matters

These letters reflect the ongoing political and social divisions in the United States, with debates over issues like racism, the role of celebrities in major events, and the state of American democracy. The letters provide a window into how these topics are being discussed and debated by the public.

The details

The letters cover several key points: 1) Praise for Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show performance, which was seen as uplifting and innovative, despite some concerns over the appropriateness of his lyrics. 2) Criticism of the racist backlash to Bad Bunny's appearance, contrasted with a lack of similar outrage over offensive lyrics by a white performer. 3) Outrage over Donald Trump's racist social media post depicting the Obamas as apes, and a call for Republicans to denounce the president's racism. 4) A plea for all Americans to defend the Constitution and American democracy as the nation marks its 250th anniversary.

  • The letters were published on February 16, 2026.

The players

Mark Wardlaw

A reader from Santa Rosa, California.

Pete Parkinson

A reader from Santa Rosa, California.

Rosy Fischer

A reader from Cotati, California.

Virginia Greenwald

A reader from Cloverdale, California.

Bad Bunny

A Puerto Rican singer and rapper who performed at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who has a history of racist behavior.

Barack Obama

The former president of the United States.

Michelle Obama

The former first lady of the United States.

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What they’re saying

“Here's where the real hypocrisy enters the picture. One of Kid Rock's songs — 'Cool, Daddy Cool,' written for a movie soundtrack — rhapsodizes about, shall we say, relationships with underage girls. I am not aware of any pushback or condemnation of those sentiments from those who were so scandalized by the prospect of a Spanish-speaking 'foreigner' sullying a major American cultural event.”

— Mark Wardlaw, Reader (pressdemocrat.com)

“Donald Trump's unapologetic posting of a video depicting Barack and Michelle Obamas as apes is only the most recent example of deep-seated racism that goes back decades. He has long told us exactly who he is. But let that truth sink in for a minute: The president of the United States is a racist.”

— Pete Parkinson, Reader (pressdemocrat.com)

“Shame on him for making that statement, and shame on The Press Democrat for printing it.”

— Rosy Fischer, Reader (pressdemocrat.com)

“Each of us must find a way to be part of the resistance to autocracy. This is not the time to look away and hope things will improve. As Benjamin Franklin famously said in response to Elizabeth Willing Powel's question about the new Constitution ('Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?'): 'A republic, if you can keep it.'”

— Virginia Greenwald, Reader (pressdemocrat.com)

The takeaway

These letters highlight the ongoing tensions and debates in American society, with discussions around racism, the role of celebrities in major events, and the state of American democracy. They reflect the deep political and social divisions that continue to shape the national discourse.