Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr
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With President Donald Trump in the stands and the rest of the MAGA world watching at home, rapper Kendrick Lamar didn’t shy away from incorporating symbolism about America during his Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on Sunday night.
Actor Samuel L. Jackson dressed up as Uncle Sam, who throughout the show analyzed Lamar’s performance and criticized him for being “too loud, too reckless, [and] too ghetto.” While he performed “HUMBLE,” Black dancers dressed in red, white, and blue, formed an American flag.
Despite what could be interpreted as Lamar making a political message during his show, he was mostly focused on his feud with Drake. He sang his two-diss tracks, “Euphoria,” and “Not Like Us,” all while wearing a lowercase “a” a chain around his neck, in reference to the “Not Like Us” lyric, “Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minor.” He also had Drake’s ex, Serena Williams, dancing on stage.
Though the internet loved how Lamar took shots at Drake throughout the show, the MAGA world was too busy crying about how they couldn’t understand the lyrics and calling the rapper a “mumbling pagan Satanic cultist.”
Self-described “True Florida Man” and former congressman-turned-conservative-talk-show-host Matt Gaetz claimed Lamar’s show was in response to Trump’s presidential win.
“The halftime show you just watched is clearly the regime’s response to Trump’s historic gains with Black men,” Gaetz wrote on X.
While Gaetz may be calling himself a journalist, he still struggles with fact-checking responsibilities.
Readers quickly added a community note that reads, “Kendrick Lamar was announced as the halftime show several months before Trump won.” It’s true: the National Football League (NFL) announced Lamar as the halftime performer back in September 2024.
The halftime show you just watched is clearly the regime’s response to Trump’s historic gains with black men.
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) February 10, 2025
Of course, Gaetz’s tweet brought the allegations that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl back into the limelight, given Lamar’s lyrics calling Drake a pedophile.
“There were a few lines I thought would strike a chord with you,” a user clapped back.
There were a few lines I thought would strike a chord with you
— Alex Jewell 🧢 (@bestfoodalex) February 10, 2025
Entertainment journalist Marlow Stern quipped, “A MINORRRRRR.”
A MINORRRRRR
— Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) February 10, 2025
Others simply responded with Lamar’s grin as he rapped, “Say Drake, I hear you like em young,” from “Not Like Us.”
“Say Matt,” a user added.
Say Matt……. pic.twitter.com/V6GMCKtMP1
— Prince Debit 🇨🇲 (@MainEventChris_) February 10, 2025
Another person noted, “Wasn’t Lamar picked for the halftime show when all ‘the polls’ showed Kamala was going to win by a landslide?”
Wasn't Lamar picked for the half time show when all 'the polls' showed Kamala was going to win by a landslide?
— Beth (@Beth_IRL) February 10, 2025
Maybe Gaetz took the lyrics too personally.
“Yea buddy you felt called out,” a comment reads.
Yea buddy you felt called out.
— Ashtro (@Ashtrro) February 10, 2025
Independent reporter Talia Jane wondered if his Botox injections have taken a toll on him through the years.
“Is this kind of stupid what happens when the botox gets injected too deep,” she asked.
is this kind of stupid what happens when the botox gets injected too deep
— Talia Jane â¤ï¸â?ð??¥ (@taliaotg) February 10, 2025
Perhaps she is onto something, considering Gaetz’s next tweet.
An hour after his halftime post, he wrote, “Vaccines have clearly impacted the play of Travis Kelce.”
Vaccines have clearly impacted the play of Travis Kelce.
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) February 10, 2025
