Donald Trump to skip Super Bowl 60
President Donald Trump has confirmed he will not be present at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara this evening as the New England Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60, reports BritPanorama.
The 79-year-old cited the journey to California as his primary reason for staying away. “It’s just too far away,” he told the New York Post last month. Additionally, Trump has publicly opposed the halftime entertainment, expressing dissatisfaction with performers Bad Bunny and Green Day.
Speaking about the artists, Mr Trump remarked, “I’m anti-them. I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred.” His decision to skip the event follows advice from his team, which warned him he could face a hostile reception from spectators at the venue.
This marks a notable departure from last year, when Trump attended the championship game in New Orleans, where he watched the Philadelphia Eagles secure a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Trump’s absence this year has generated speculation about the impact of his critics among the performers.
Bad Bunny has been vocal in his criticism of immigration policies, including remarks made during the Grammy Awards, while Green Day has also previously declined to support the President. Despite not attending, Trump shared his thoughts on the quarterback battle from Florida, expressing enthusiasm for both teams without declaring a favourite. “I can’t say who I’m picking, but they’re two really good teams,” he stated.
On the upcoming game, he praised Seattle’s quarterback Sam Darnold, noting, “You have a quarterback who looked like he wasn’t going to make it, and he did.” Additionally, he suggested that the Patriots should have started their quarterback Drake Maye sooner, having described him earlier as “a fantastic draft pick.”
In a parallel event, conservative organisation Turning Point USA has arranged an alternative halftime show featuring Kid Rock, which Trump is expected to tune into from his Palm Beach residence. The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed on Thursday that Trump would prefer a performance by Kid Rock over Bad Bunny.
The White House released a message wishing both teams success in the game and noted the significance of the occasion as the country celebrates 250 years of independence. “Melania and I congratulate both teams on earning their place in Super Bowl LX, and we wish them luck as they compete for the National Football League’s iconic Vince Lombardi Trophy,” the President concluded.
As the game unfolds this evening, the absence of Trump adds another layer to an already eventful Super Bowl, revealing how sport and politics often intersect in unexpected ways.
