A surprise halftime performance from rock legend Jack White and rap superstar Eminem during the Detroit Lions versus Green Bay Packers Thanksgiving game has left American football fans questioning the National Football League's upcoming Super Bowl entertainment plans.
An Unforgettable Detroit Showcase
The Ford Field audience in Detroit was treated to an unexpected musical spectacle during Thursday's game interval. Jack White, a native of the city, ignited the crowd with a powerful performance of The White Stripes' anthemic hit 'Seven Nation Army'. The show reached another level entirely when he was joined on stage by fellow Detroit icon Eminem for a rousing rendition of 'Till I Collapse'.
The collaboration was met with immediate and widespread acclaim from viewers. One fan captured the general sentiment online, stating, 'Jack White with Eminem at the Packers vs Lions halftime was epic. Not my bingo card for today.' The performance was so well-received that many watching the Fox broadcast began expressing a strong desire to see the duo reprise their act at Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February 8 in Santa Clara, California.
The Super Bowl Controversy
This public demand, however, highlights a significant point of contention. The prestigious Super Bowl halftime slot has already been assigned to Bad Bunny, the globally renowned Puerto Rican rapper and musician. The selection has previously drawn criticism from conservative circles, partly for his performances in Spanish and his vocal opposition to former President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
The direct comparison was made instantly by fans online. 'Jack white? Way better than bad bunny or whatever,' one comment read. Another added, 'Det just rolled out Eminem and Jack White for thanksgiving halftime. Sorry bad Bunny.' The praise was so effusive that one critic felt confident in declaring, 'That Jack White Halftime Show is already better than whatever the NFL thinks Bad Bunny's halftime show will be.'
A Deeper Political Divide
The debate extends beyond mere musical taste into the realm of politics. While Bad Bunny has faced backlash for his views, it was noted that Jack White has also been a vocal critic of Trump, having likened the MAGA movement to fascism and selling anti-Trump merchandise. One fan on X pointed out the potential hypocrisy, writing, 'Wait till the Cancel the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show folks find out Jack White thinks Trump is a fascist.'
The criticism towards Bad Bunny's upcoming headline performance has been substantial. Some detractors have even accused him of hating the United States. Packers legend Brett Favre suggested on his podcast that the NFL should have chosen 'someone who loves this country,' name-checking country singer Jason Aldean.
However, these arguments often overlook Bad Bunny's monumental commercial success. With around 100 million more album sales than Aldean, he also leads significantly in streams, social media followers, and 2025 ticket sales. Furthermore, he is one of the most popular artists on the planet, boasting over 77 million monthly listeners on Spotify and being the platform's most-streamed artist for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, and 2022).
The halftime show is produced by Roc Nation, the entertainment company founded by rapper Jay-Z, which has held the responsibility since 2019. This is not Bad Bunny's first Super Bowl appearance; he performed as a supporting act in the 2022 show headlined by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, a decision that attracted far less controversy at the time.
