The National Football League's announcement of performers for the 2026 Super Bowl continues to generate political controversy. Following the reveal of Bad Bunny as the halftime headliner, the league has added Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile to the pre-game show, a move unlikely to appease conservative critics already upset with the initial choice.
Carlile's Role and Political Stance
The NFL confirmed on Monday that Brandi Carlile will perform the classic anthem "America the Beautiful" ahead of the big game on February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. She will share the pre-game stage with musicians Coco Jones and Charlie Puth. Jon Barker, the NFL's senior vice president of global event production, stated the selected artists "embody the very best of music and culture" and will "help set the tone for a day that will captivate fans around the world."
While less globally prominent than Bad Bunny, Carlile, an 11-time Grammy winner and lesbian artist, has been an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump. In a 2016 interview with NPR affiliate KUOW-FM after Trump's election, she expressed being "really upset with Trump voters" but noted she was "listening." Her political views are further reflected in her music, such as the track "Church & State" from her latest album, "Returning to Myself," which contains lyrics widely interpreted as critiques of the Trump administration.
Online Reaction and Cultural Divide
The news of Carlile's involvement, much like the Bad Bunny announcement, was met with immediate criticism on social media platforms. Some comments questioned her star power for the massive event, with one user on X quipping, "Is this the Super Bowl or a small-town coffee shop open mic night?" Another poster referenced the ongoing debate over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, writing, "DEI bc everyone was mad about bad bunny IJBOL."
Carlile's association with fellow Trump critic Joni Mitchell has also drawn attention. Mitchell famously endorsed the protest song "FDT" (Fuck Donald Trump) during a 2024 performance in Los Angeles.
A Conservative Counter-Program Emerges
For viewers dissatisfied with the NFL's official entertainment slate, an alternative is being organized. In October, the right-wing group Turning Point USA, founded by activist Charlie Kirk, announced plans for an "All American Halftime Show" to broadcast in competition with NBC's main Super Bowl coverage. While performers have not been confirmed, the event's MAGA-themed website includes a symbolic option for visitors to vote in favor of "anything in English," a clear nod to the language of Bad Bunny's Spanish-language music.
The evolving lineup for the 2026 Super Bowl underscores how major sporting events have become another front in the nation's cultural and political debates, with the NFL's choices for performers triggering significant backlash and prompting the creation of a rival production.
