For years, Green Day has been singing “I’m not part of the MAGA agenda” instead of “redneck agenda” during “American Idiot” at huge events. They’ve done it at Coachella, New Year’s Eve, everywhere. Now they’re set to perform at the Super Bowl. MAGA is about to lose it…

Green Day, the iconic punk rock band known for their unapologetic political edge, has spent years tweaking the lyrics of their 2004 anthem “American Idiot” to deliver a pointed message against Donald Trump and his supporters. The alteration—changing “I’m not part of a redneck agenda” to “I’m not part of the MAGA agenda”—has become a staple at major performances, from festivals to televised events. Now, with the band scheduled to open Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, that lyric swap is sparking fresh buzz and backlash.

The change first gained widespread attention in late 2019 during Green Day’s set at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, where frontman Billie Joe Armstrong swapped the line as a direct critique of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement. It resurfaced prominently on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in 2023 (and again in subsequent years), drawing cheers from audiences and ire from conservative commentators. The band repeated it at Coachella in 2025, where they headlined with their signature high-energy rebellion, and at other shows as part of their ongoing commentary on American politics.
“American Idiot,” originally written as a scathing response to the George W. Bush era, the Iraq War, and media manipulation, has always carried an anti-establishment punch. The “redneck agenda” line was already provocative, but updating it to target “MAGA” aligns with Green Day’s history of outspoken activism. Armstrong has been vocal about his disdain for Trump since at least 2016, when the band famously chanted “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA” during an American Music Awards performance.
Green Day’s Super Bowl role isn’t the halftime show—that honor goes to Bad Bunny—but an opening ceremony performance celebrating 60 years of Super Bowl history. They’ll help introduce generations of MVPs onto the field, likely mixing in classics like “Basket Case,” “Holiday,” and, of course, “American Idiot.” The spot gives them a massive platform, reaching over 100 million viewers on NBC and Peacock.
Reactions have been predictable. Some MAGA-aligned social media users and posts express frustration or mock outrage, with sentiments like “They want to make sure everyone knows they do not tolerate MAGA” circulating widely. Others point out the irony: a band whose breakthrough album critiqued right-wing politics is now performing at one of America’s biggest events. Supporters celebrate it as consistent punk defiance, with clips and memes highlighting the lyric change as a bold stand.
The timing amplifies the tension. Bad Bunny’s halftime headline has already drawn calls for boycotts from some conservative circles over his past activism. Pairing that with Green Day’s track record has some predicting a cultural flashpoint during the game. Yet Green Day has never shied away from controversy—their music has always blended catchy hooks with sharp social critique.
Whether Armstrong belts the altered line during the opening set remains to be seen, but given the pattern at Coachella, New Year’s Eve, and beyond, it’s a safe bet. For a band that’s spent two decades calling out perceived hypocrisy and division in American life, the Super Bowl stage is just the latest arena to make their point heard loud and clear.