The Super Bowl was plunged into chaos just minutes in as fans blasted a “sick” moment of censorship during the opening act. Fans erupted online after Green Day’s opening performance appeared to be censored during their hit American Idiot, with parts of lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong’s vocals abruptly cut from the live broadcast. The band’s anthem has long doubled as a protest song, and Green Day are known for switching up the lyrics during live performances — often changing “don’t wanna be an American idiot” to a pointed swipe at Donald Trump’s “MAGA agenda”.
As the broadcast rolled on, social media filled with accusations that the NFL and American broadcast network NBC had deliberately stepped in to mute the moment. One furious viewer wrote: “Shame on NBC editing out Green Day in fear of Trump retaliation. Spineless cowards”. Another added: “They didn’t let Green Day take a jab at Trump #SuperBowl”. More chimed in, convinced that the censorship was to save Trump from being mocked during the game.
“Yeah I figured the NFL/NBC or whoever did their most to make sure Green Day didn’t call out Trump lol,” one post read. A fourth viewer claimed: “Billy Joe just said something with Green Day and NBC censored it, guarantee it was about Trump”.
Another wrote: “Pretty sure they censored Green Day from saying ‘Trump America’ during the pre show.”
One fan joked it ruined the moment entirely. “They censored Green Day I was looking forward to screaming ‘IM NOT APART OF YOUR MAGA AGENDA’,” one complained. Another summed up the mood more bluntly: “they censored green day i’m SICK”.
The backlash landed against a backdrop of already simmering political tension around the game.
Donald Trump has publicly dismissed the Super Bowl’s entertainment lineup as “terrible” and announced he would skip attending altogether. Even if he sticks to that decision, critics note he still has Truth Social to air his views during the broadcast.
This year’s halftime show, headlined by Bad Bunny, has also drawn political fire. The Puerto Rican superstar — who performs primarily in Spanish — recently took a stand against Trump’s immigration enforcement policies at the Grammy Awards, telling the audience: “ICE out.” That moment helped fuel conservative backlash, including from Trump himself, who told Newsmax he had “never heard” of the rapper.
In response, conservative organisation Turning Point USA has announced a rival broadcast it has dubbed the “All-American Halftime Show”, set to stream live on February 8 during the official halftime slot.
The alternative show will be streamed across Turning Point’s social media platforms, including X and YouTube, positioning itself as a direct counter to the Apple Music-sponsored halftime performance.
Turning Point has described its event as an entertainment option with “no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family and freedom”.
The line-up for the rival show includes Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert and Lee Brice, with Gabby Barrett — the 2021 Academy of Country Music Awards new female artist of the year — also set to perform.