Former US President Donald Trump has confirmed he will not be attending next month's Super Bowl championship game in northern California, citing the considerable travel distance involved as his primary reason for skipping the event.
Distance Deters Presidential Attendance
In an interview with the New York Post, Trump explained that the journey to Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara for the 8 February game was "just too far away" for him to consider making the trip. The former president indicated he would have contemplated attending if the event were located closer to his usual bases of operation, requiring a shorter flight from either the White House or his Mar-a-Lago compound in Florida.
This decision marks a departure from Trump's appearance at last year's Super Bowl in New Orleans, where he made history as the first sitting US president to attend the NFL's premier showcase event. His absence from this year's championship game represents a break from what has become a regular feature of his post-presidential activities.
Sporting Event Regular
Trump has maintained a pattern of high-profile appearances at major sporting competitions throughout his political career and beyond. During his second term and subsequent years, he has been a visible presence at events including last year's Daytona 500, the recent college football national championship, and September's Ryder Cup at Bethpage, New York.
Many of these sporting spectacles have been strategically located near Florida or along the US east coast, placing them within convenient travel distance from Trump's preferred locations. The California-based Super Bowl represents a significant geographical departure from this established pattern of accessible sporting engagements.
Entertainment Lineup Criticism
Beyond the travel considerations, Trump voiced strong criticism of the NFL's entertainment selections for this year's Super Bowl. The halftime show will feature Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny as the headline performer, with punk rock band Green Day scheduled as a pregame act.
"I'm anti-them," Trump declared regarding the entertainment choices. "I think it's a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible."
In previous interviews, Trump had described the selection of Bad Bunny as "absolutely ridiculous" and admitted unfamiliarity with the artist. Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been an outspoken critic of Trump throughout his career. Last year, the performer notably chose to stage a month-long concert residency in Puerto Rico rather than touring the mainland United States.
NFL Stands Firm
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the controversy surrounding the entertainment lineup during October's league owners meetings, firmly stating the organisation would not reconsider its decision. Goodell defended Bad Bunny's selection based on the artist's global popularity and dismissed the backlash as typical for Super Bowl entertainment choices.
"We're confident it's going to be a great show," Goodell asserted, indicating the league's commitment to its chosen performers despite political criticism.
Trump maintained that the presence of Bad Bunny and Green Day did not influence his decision to skip the game, insisting the distance remained his sole determining factor. Green Day brings its own political history to the event, with a catalogue of politically charged lyrics and public criticism of Trump from lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong, who has voiced support for protests against the former administration's immigration policies.
Super Bowl Significance
The Super Bowl continues to hold its position as the most-watched annual television event in the United States. Last year's championship game attracted an average of nearly 130 million US viewers according to official NFL figures, with an additional 62.5 million watching internationally.
The competing teams for this year's event will be determined following Sunday's conference championship games, which will see the New England Patriots facing the Denver Broncos, followed by the Los Angeles Rams competing against the Seattle Seahawks.
Trump's absence from this cultural and sporting milestone represents a notable departure from his established pattern of high-visibility appearances at major American events, while his criticism of the entertainment lineup adds another layer to the ongoing cultural debates surrounding the Super Bowl's broader significance beyond athletic competition.
