Trump’s decision to skip Super Bowl 60 is officially framed as a matter of distance and logistics, but his own rhetoric turned a routine scheduling choice into a cultural flashpoint. By labeling himself “anti‑them” and condemning Bad Bunny and Green Day in sweeping, personal terms, he transformed the halftime and pregame shows into a referendum on political identity as much as musical taste.

For the NFL, the stakes are bigger than one president’s absence. The league is betting that global stars with outspoken views can broaden its reach without alienating core fans. For Trump, the episode reinforces a familiar dynamic: using pop culture battles to energize supporters who feel sidelined by mainstream entertainment. Whether the controversy fades after the final whistle or lingers into future Super Bowls, Super Bowl 60 now doubles as a mirror of America’s deepest cultural divides.