Donald Trump will not be attending Super Bowl 60 on Sunday, and according to sources, it’s not just about the long drive to Santa Clara, California.
While the former president has publicly said the distance was a factor, insiders reveal a more politically charged reason: his team feared the crowd would greet him with boos rather than cheers.
Public Reason vs Private Reality
Last month, Trump told the New York Post that the NFL championship was “just too far away,” joking that he might go if the trip were shorter.
But behind closed doors, advisers warned that Levi’s Stadium — home of the San Francisco 49ers — would not be a friendly environment for the former president.
One White House official reportedly described the likelihood of being heckled as “big league,” and the team worried about the viral video clips and media scrutiny that could follow.
An aide told the progressive outlet Zeteo that avoiding such a scene was “another thing we don’t want right now,” highlighting the administration’s sensitivity to optics ahead of a challenging political period.
Approval Ratings in Decline
Trump’s absence comes amid waning public support.
Exclusive polling from JL Partners for the Daily Mail shows his approval rating at 45% at the end of January 2026, down from 54% at the start of his second term.
Controversial policies, particularly his administration’s strict immigration enforcement and ongoing struggles with inflation, have weighed heavily on public perception.
Recent public appearances haven’t helped.
Trump faced mixed reactions at last month’s NCAA college football championship in Miami and was loudly jeered at a Washington Commanders game in November 2025.
Historical Context and Past Attendance
Trump made history during his second term by attending last year’s Super Bowl in New Orleans, accompanied by his daughter Ivanka and several grandchildren — the first sitting U.S. president to attend the NFL championship in person.
At that event, reactions were mixed, with both boos and cheers.
Despite the typically affluent, potentially sympathetic Super Bowl demographic, the California venue — a Democratic stronghold — reportedly gave Trump’s team pause.
One source said bluntly, “Best to stay away from this one…whatever the crowd’s makeup, it’s not gonna be a TPUSA speech.”
Entertainment Choices Draw Criticism
Super Bowl 60 promises to be a high-profile spectacle.
Green Day, known for its anti-Trump stance, will open with a pre-game performance, while Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, another vocal critic, headlines halftime.
Turning Point USA has planned a counter-program featuring Kid Rock, but according to insiders, Trump privately criticized the overall lineup.
“I’m anti-them,” he reportedly told the New York Post, calling the selections “a terrible choice” and claiming they “sow hatred.”
What’s Ahead at Super Bowl 60
Super Bowl 60 will see the Seattle Seahawks face off against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in California on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Though Trump will be absent, the event is certain to attract intense attention — both for the game itself and the cultural and political undercurrents surrounding it.
The former president’s decision not to attend underscores the intersection of politics, popularity, and public perception, even at what is traditionally a neutral ground for sports fans.
