The National Football League (NFL) has made another politically charged musical selection for its showpiece event, announcing that rock band Green Day will perform the opening ceremony at Super Bowl LX on February 8 in Santa Clara, California.
A Double Dose of Political Discord
This decision comes just four months after the league revealed that Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, another vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, would headline the coveted halftime show. The back-to-back announcements have positioned this year's Super Bowl entertainment as a focal point for cultural and political debate, drawing ire from Trump's supporters.
Green Day, the iconic punk rock band from San Francisco, is led by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, alongside members Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool. Their role will be to usher generations of past Super Bowl Most Valuable Players onto the field at Levi's Stadium. Armstrong's disdain for Trump is far from secret. In June, he told a crowd at the UK's Download Festival that "Donald Trump and his administration is a fascist government," and led chants insulting the former president.
Fan Backlash and MAGA Boycott Threats
The NFL's choices have ignited a firestorm on social media, particularly among supporters of Trump's MAGA movement. Many have threatened to boycott the broadcast. One user complained of "more liberal BS being pushed on everyone," while another declared the league "hates their fan base" for booking "anti-American acts."
This backlash echoes the reaction to Bad Bunny's appointment. The reggaeton artist has publicly criticised Trump's immigration policies and recently refused to tour in the US over fears that his fans could be targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Trump himself dismissed the halftime choice in October, stating, "I never heard of him... I think it's absolutely ridiculous."
Band Focuses on the Sporting Honour
Despite the surrounding controversy, Green Day has expressed pure excitement for the performance. Armstrong said, "We are super hyped to open Super Bowl 60 right in our backyard! We are honoured to welcome the MVPs who’ve shaped the game and open the night for fans all over the world. Let’s have fun! Let’s get loud!"
The band, famous for its 2004 anti-establishment album "American Idiot," has previously adapted lyrics during live performances to state "I'm not part of the MAGA agenda." Their upcoming performance at one of America's most-watched sporting events ensures their political stance will once again be broadcast to a global audience of millions, guaranteeing that Super Bowl LX will be as much a talking point for its politics as for its sport.
