During this year’s Super Bowl LVIII halftime show, rapper Kendrick Lamar performed before a massive audience, but many fans were surprised by what appeared to be an indirect jab at former President Donald Trump. The rapper, who had already been the subject of much anticipation due to his history with rapper Drake, seemed to shift his focus to the sitting president, who was present at the game. Trump made history by becoming the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl, drawing even more attention to the event.
Kendrick Lamar, performing live at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, took the stage during halftime, as the Philadelphia Eagles were dominating the Kansas City Chiefs. Lamar delivered a powerful set of his hit songs, including “DNA” and “Humble,” with appearances by singer SZA and DJ Mustard. As one of the biggest winners at the 2025 Grammys, Lamar has been a major cultural figure, and his performance was no exception. However, what caught many eyes was the symbolic display featuring Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, who was introduced as the personification of America.
At one point during the performance, Jackson interrupted Lamar and told him, “you’re too ghetto,” which some fans interpreted as a thinly veiled critique of Trump’s policies, particularly his attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. A viral comment on social media noted the irony of Lamar’s performance coinciding with Trump’s presence at the Super Bowl, drawing attention to how the rapper’s all-black backup dancers were arranged in the shape of the American flag. The visual seemed to challenge Trump’s approach to racial equality and inclusion.
In a highly scrutinized decision, the NFL had also replaced the “End Racism” slogan in the end zones with the phrase “Choose Love.” Many criticized this shift as a subtle nod to Trump’s push against DEI initiatives. While the NFL defended the choice, citing national tragedies as a reason for the message, it left many wondering about the political implications. Trump himself reportedly left his box at the Caesars Superdome just before Lamar’s performance concluded.
This wasn’t the first time Lamar has expressed his dissent against Trump. His previous songs like “The Heart Part 4” and “XXX” have openly criticized the former president’s policies, further cementing Lamar’s role as a voice of resistance in the cultural conversation. While Trump has yet to publicly comment on Lamar’s Super Bowl performance, it’s clear that the two have continued to clash in the public eye, whether through music or symbolic gestures like those seen on stage.