super bowl 2025 was a spectacle like no other, drawing in not just football enthusiasts but also a who’s who of american culture. the philadelphia eagles’ decisive 40-22 victory over the kansas city chiefs at the caesars superdome in new orleans was just one part of the story. the event was a melting pot of sports, politics, music, and Hollywood, with some of the world’s most famous faces in attendance. taylor swift, jay-z, sir paul mccartney, and bradley cooper were just a few of the celebrities who turned out for what is often called the biggest sporting event in the united states. but this year, the super bowl also made history for an unexpected reason: donald trump became the first sitting president to attend the game.
trump’s appearance at the super bowl was met with a mix of reactions. before the game, he walked onto the football field to meet with families of the victims of a tragic new year’s day terror attack in new orleans. fourteen people had been killed and dozens injured when shamsud-din jabbar, a u.s. army veteran, drove a pickup truck into crowds on bourbon street. police later shot and killed jabbar. trump’s visit to the field was a somber moment, but as he entered the stadium to watch the game, the crowd’s response was far from unified. some cheered, while others booed, reflecting the deeply polarized nature of american politics. trump watched the game from a private box alongside his children ivanka and eric, as well as several politicians who had traveled with him on air force one. notably absent was first lady melania trump.
the super bowl also provided a backdrop for trump’s complicated history with the nfl. during his first term in office, trump had famously criticized the league and its players, particularly after black athletes knelt during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. this year, the nfl seemed to take a subtle stance by placing the phrase “choose love” behind one of the end zones, replacing the “end racism” message that had been displayed since 2021. whether this change was a nod to trump’s presence or simply a shift in messaging was unclear, but it didn’t go unnoticed.
the celebrity presence at the super bowl was as much a part of the event as the game itself. taylor swift, for instance, was there to cheer on her boyfriend, travis kelce, a star tight end for the kansas city chiefs. when her face appeared on the jumbotron, some philadelphia eagles fans booed her, likely due to her endorsement of trump’s political rival, kamala harris, in the 2024 presidential election. other stars in attendance included hollywood icons like adam sandler, paul rudd, and kevin costner, as well as music legends jay-z and sir paul mccartney. the super bowl has long been a place where sports and entertainment collide, and this year was no exception.
one of the most anticipated parts of the super bowl is the half-time show, and this year’s performance did not disappoint. rapper kendrick lamar took the stage, delivering a powerful set that included hits like “humble” and “toxic love,” the latter featuring singer-songwriter sza. lamar’s performance was both a celebration of american culture and a subtle commentary on its complexities. at one point, he teasingly referenced his drake diss track “not like us,” noting that he almost didn’t perform it due to legal disputes. despite the drama, the song went on to win both song and record of the year at the grammys just a week earlier. samuel l. jackson, dressed as uncle sam, added to the spectacle by opening for lamar. the half-time show is always a major production, but this year’s felt particularly charged, blending music, dance, and social commentary.
beyond the game and the performances, the super bowl is also famous for its high-profile television advertisements. this year, companies paid a record $8 million for 30 seconds of airtime, and the ads did not disappoint. david beckham and matt damon starred as long-lost twins bonding over a beer, while meg ryan and billy crystal recreated their iconic “i’ll have what she’s having” scene from when harry met sally, but this time with a humorous twist involving mayonnaise. gordon ramsay and pete davidson teamed up for a cookware commercial, and the muppets even made an appearance in an ad for a booking site. these ads are often as talked about as the game itself, and this year’s crop was no exception. the super bowl is more than just a game; it’s a cultural event that reflects and shapes american society in ways both big and small.
