The Super Bowl’s rival halftime shows reveal America’s cultural rifts | Opinion
Entertainment and the arts reflect the world. In our fractured country, it’s not surprising to see the cracked mosaic of the United States reflected in the cultural conflicts of the day.
The Super Bowl was once taken for granted as a pillar of our common culture. But it has now spawned two rival half-time shows, both offering quite different visions of America.
The official show will feature Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny. President Donald Trump has denounced him as a “terrible choice” for the half-time show. And MAGA is planning an alternative — the “All American Halftime Show.”
Isn’t it beneath the dignity of the president to squabble about pop stars? But like Elmer Fudd hunting Bugs Bunny, the president is intent on badgering Bad Bunny. And here we are.
ICE activity at Super Bowl
Bad Bunny has recently avoided performing outside of Puerto Rico, fearing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would target his fans. Some fans are worried about ICE activity at the big game. And Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem fueled this fear when she warned people not to come to the game “unless they’re law-abiding Americans who love this country.”
But what does it mean to be an American — or to love this country?
At last week’s Grammy Awards, Bad Bunny preached love while denouncing ICE. He said, “The only thing that’s more powerful than hate is love… We love our people.”
The rival “All-American Halftime Show” loves a different vision of the country. The headliner, Kid Rock, explained, “We plan to play great songs for folks who love America.”
Of course, Puerto Rico is part of America. And immigrants love the country. That’s why they come here. But right now in the United States, it is love that divides us.
Cultural divide
Our cultural divide can be seen in the contrast between Bruce Springsteen’s new protest song, “The Streets of Minneapolis,” and Melania Trump’s recent cinematic act of self-love. Springsteen sings about Renee Good, Alex Pretti and blood on the streets of Minneapolis. His lyrics express compassion for victims and strangers. He sings, “We’ll take our stand for this land and the stranger in our midst.”
On the other hand, “Melania” is, well, about herself. The film is a vain confection with cash icing. Its most remarkable feature is Trump’s massive $40 million payday. As the people of Minneapolis shiver, Melania appears to be as clueless as Marie Antoinette eating cake.
Springsteen’s song represents a different cultural paradigm: It is an act of generous solidarity. He sang his song at a benefit for Good’s family. The Boss’ video features scenes of conflict, including the haunting image of Liam Ramos, the five-year-old in the blue bunny hat who was taken by ICE. The contrast between Liam’s blue hat and Melania’s gaudy headgear provides a stark reminder of the gulf dividing our nation.
Arts expose our humanity
This is the power of art. Songs and images expose our humanity and our beauty as well as our ugliness. Powerful art demands that we question our values and decide where we stand. Are we with Elmer or Bugs, Liam or Melania?
The existential import and political impact of the arts should not be underestimated. When conflicts of culture are as glaring as they are today, we are forced to consider what we love and who we are.
The Melania film reminds us that art can be propaganda. Art can also pacify, and entertainment can distract us from the reality. But the best art provokes by illuminating the fissures of this broken world.
James Baldwin once said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” As a poet and civil rights activist, Baldwin wanted art to force us to confront a world in need of repair.
But the arts remind us that solutions are not obvious. That’s why artists are often what Baldwin called “disturbers of the peace.” Art shows us “there is nothing stable under heaven,” and that nothing can be taken for granted. Art delves into the “heart of every answer,” Baldwin said, exposing “the question the answer hides.”
The questions of the moment are difficult. We wear different hats and love different visions of this country. We don’t yet know the answer to the problem that is the United States. But one thing is clear: we can no longer take anything for granted.
Andrew Fiala is a professor of philosophy and director of The Ethics Center at Fresno State.
This story was originally published February 8, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "The Super Bowl’s rival halftime shows reveal America’s cultural rifts | Opinion."