Tens of thousands of people are currently crammed into the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX, but one man who is notably absent is President Donald Trump.
Last year, Trump became the first ever sitting president to attend a Super Bowl when he watched the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans.
Yet Trump made it clear well ahead of this year’s big game that he would not be in attendance, telling the New York Post: “It’s just too far away.” The president added: “I would go if, you know, it was a little bit shorter.”
The flight time from Washington D.C. to California (where tonight’s game is being played) ranges from five to six hours, so Trump is right in opining that it would make for a long trip.
That said, speculation heavily implies that there’s a second, perhaps more telling reason that Trump isn’t taking the time out of his busy schedule to attend the biggest occasion on the NFL’s calendar.
Trump made no secret of his disdain for two of the artists set to perform songs at this year’s Super Bowl. Green Day were charged with delivering the opening ceremony – which they did with aplomb – while Bad Bunny will be performing the halftime show.
“I’m anti-them,” Trump said. “I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible.”
Puerto Rican entertainer Bad Bunny refused to perform in the US last year over concerns that ICE would carry out raids at his concerts. He did, however, accept the invitation to perform at the Super Bowl.
“What I’m feeling goes beyond myself, it’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown,” he said at the time. “This is for my people, my culture and our history.”
Why do you think Trump isn’t at this year’s Super Bowl? Let us know in the comments.
