President Donald Trump was reportedly advised by aides to skip attending Super Bowl LX because of fears that the crowd would aggressively boo him, according to a new investigative report. The revelation comes despite Trump's public explanation that the game in Santa Clara, California, was simply too far away for him to attend.
Behind the Scenes: Aides Feared Viral Backlash
Multiple aides and advisers quietly determined there was a high probability that Trump would be booed "big league" if he appeared at Levi's Stadium, according to sources briefed on the decision cited by Zeteo. These concerns were reportedly driven by worries that such a negative reception could produce unwelcome viral social media clips and damaging media coverage during a politically sensitive period.
The White House has pushed back against this narrative, insisting through spokesperson Davis Ingle that Trump would have received a warm welcome from American football fans. "President Trump is working hard on behalf of the American people," Ingle stated. "If he did attend the Super Bowl, he would receive a warm welcome because America knows he has done more to help this country than any other president in history."
Immigration Controversy Shadows Super Bowl
Super Bowl LX is taking place against a backdrop of nationwide protests against the Trump administration's immigration policies. Tensions have been particularly inflamed following the deaths of American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti last month in Minneapolis at the hands of federal immigration agents.
The halftime show headliner, Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny, has been vocal in his criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). During his Grammy acceptance speech last Sunday for Best Musica Urbana Album, the artist born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio declared "ICE out" before thanking God, adding: "The only thing that's more powerful than hate is love. So please we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love."
Security Concerns and Presidential History
There were initial fears that ICE agents might be deployed to the Super Bowl after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggested in September that officers would be "all over" the event following Bad Bunny's announcement as headline act. However, NFL chief security officer Cathy Lanier has since given assurances that no ICE operations are planned for Super Bowl events.
Trump made history in 2025 by becoming the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl when he went to the game in New Orleans. For Sunday's matchup between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, the president offered additional reasons for his absence beyond distance, criticizing the halftime performers Bad Bunny and Green Day as "terrible" choices that "sow hatred."
The report suggests that behind these public explanations lay more calculated political considerations about crowd reception and media optics during a period of heightened national tension over immigration policy.
