Gavin Newsom’s office roasts MAGA Republicans over Bad Bunny Super Bowl boycott threats

Gavin Newsom’s office has publicly roasted vice president JD Vance and MAGA Republicans for whining about musician Bad Bunny’s upcoming performance at the 2026 Super Bowl.

A chorus of conservative complaints flooded the internet after the NFL announced Bad Bunny would perform at the Super Bowl’s halftime show.

The Puerto Rican artist, whose real name is Benito Ocasio, is set to perform at the American Football event in February 2026.

Republicans, furious that the singer and LGBTQ+ ally was given the spot, called for a boycott of the event, branding Ocasio as “satanic.”

Responding to the blizzard of conservative snowflakes, the Governor Newsom Press Office X/Twitter account, which is associated with the California governor, mocked the backlash in a Monday (30 September) post.

The account wrote in alternating capitals, a sign of mockery in online spaces: “I’m boycotting the Super Bowl because Bad Bunny dressed in drag,” in a post showing a viral picture of JD Vance seemingly dressed in drag.

The picture, showing Vance wearing a skirt, a blonde wig, and make-up, was taken during his time at Yale University in 2012. It began circulating in late 2024 during the lead-up to the US presidential elections.

“Im bOyCoTtInG ThE SuPeR BoWl bEcAuSe bAd bUnNy dReSsEd iN DrAg” pic.twitter.com/54sW7CAnbu

— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) September 30, 2025

A spokesperson for Vance told The Independent at the time: “JD put on a bad wig at a party in college – not exactly scandalous.”

Newsom’s office didn’t stop at Vance, however. In another post responding to MAGA Republican Benny Johnson, who branded Bad Bunny a “massive Trump hater” and an “anti-ICE activist,” the account wrote: “Benny calm down, we all know you listen to Bad Bunny lol.”

Gavin Newsom criticised for trans rights U-turn

While Newsom’s social media team isn’t pulling any punches, the California governor himself has been criticised over the past few months for what appeared to be a U-turn on his support for trans people.

The 57-year-old, who has been governor since 2019, made an unexpected shift to the right after speaking with Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk in March, several months prior to his death.

During an episode of the governor’s podcast, Newsom claimed he “completely” agreed with Kirk on trans inclusion in sporting events, claiming it was an issue of “fairness” and was “deeply unfair.”

He faced criticism yet again after choosing to host right-wing political strategist and convicted felon, Steve Bannon.

His decision to host the right-wing pundits received widespread criticism, with comedian Paul F Tompkins saying he is only fit act as “governor of the bottom of the sea“.

“Why does anybody need to hear from Steve Bannon?” he questioned in a post earlier this year. “I feel like we got this guy’s thing sorted out crystal clear, no further questions your honour.

“Why not interview a trans person about your anti-trans bulls**t?” he continued.