Football, politics and protest: This year’s Super Bowl comes at a tinderbox moment in the US

Associated Press (AP)CenterEN 6 min read 100% complete by By STEVEN SLOAN and STEVE PEOPLESFebruary 3, 2026 at 06:53 AM

AI Summary

long article 6 min

The upcoming Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots is occurring amidst heightened political tensions in the U.S. Activists are pressuring the NFL to condemn the Trump administration's immigration policies, with a petition circulating against ICE presence at the game in the San Francisco Bay Area. Halftime show headliner Bad Bunny, a vocal critic of President Trump, is expected to address these issues during his performance. Trump, who has criticized Bad Bunny, will not be attending the game. Conservative groups are planning a counter-event, adding to the politicized atmosphere surrounding the Super Bowl.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Puerto Rico 30% MoveOn 30% San Francisco Bay Area 30% Seattle Seahawks 40% New England Patriots 40% Immigration and Customs Enforcement ×250% NFL ×260% Bad Bunny ×470% United States ×270% Donald Trump ×380% Super Bowl ×690%

Keywords

super bowl 100% politics 90% protest 80% donald trump 70% bad bunny 60% immigration enforcement 60% nfl 50% immigration and customs enforcement 50% halftime show 40%