Originally Published 3 months ago — by Rolling Stone
Bad Bunny was announced as the 2026 Super Bowl halftime performer, making history as the first in Spanish, which triggered a strong reaction from conservative figures and Trump supporters criticizing his language and political stances. Despite the backlash, Bad Bunny expressed pride in representing his culture and addressed the controversy with humor during SNL. The reaction highlights ongoing cultural and political tensions surrounding the event.
The FBI has severed ties with the Anti-Defamation League, accusing it of spying on conservatives and criticizing its associations with former FBI Director James Comey, amid controversy over the ADL's characterization of Charlie Kirk and other right-wing figures. The ADL responded by emphasizing its commitment to protecting the Jewish community and denying the allegations.
Florida Attorney General Bondi faced criticism from conservatives and Democrats for her stance on prosecuting hate speech, with many arguing her interpretation misrepresents the First Amendment, leading to a broader debate on free speech versus hate speech regulation.
Cracker Barrel has decided to halt its restaurant remodel plans and revert its logo change following significant conservative backlash and public criticism, including from President Trump, highlighting the influence of social and political reactions on corporate decisions.
Cracker Barrel unveiled a new text-only logo, replacing its iconic man and barrel imagery, which sparked backlash from conservative figures and social media users who accused the company of going 'woke.' The company is undergoing a broader brand refresh aimed at attracting younger customers and modernizing its image, but the change has led to significant criticism and a drop in stock value.
Cracker Barrel has redesigned its logo after 48 years, removing the seated man and barrel imagery, which has sparked outrage among conservatives on social media, who see the change as a departure from tradition and an attack on nostalgia. The company aims to modernize its branding while maintaining its iconic elements, but the move has been met with significant criticism from right-wing figures and supporters.
Chip Gaines defended including a gay couple on his show 'Back to the Frontier' amid criticism from religious conservatives, emphasizing love and representation while encouraging understanding and learning.
Santa Ono was rejected as University of Florida president by the Florida Board of Governors due to conservative criticism of his support for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, highlighting ongoing ideological conflicts in higher education governance.
Chad Chronister, Donald Trump's nominee for the Drug Enforcement Administration, has withdrawn his candidacy following conservative backlash over his past comments on immigration, diversity, and COVID-19 measures. Chronister, the sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida, faced criticism for not engaging in federal immigration enforcement and for arresting a pastor during the pandemic. His withdrawal follows that of Matt Gaetz, Trump's initial pick for attorney general, who stepped down amid a federal investigation.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott faces conservative backlash for supporting the creation of a Texas Stock Exchange, which has received funding from BlackRock, a company criticized by conservatives for its ESG initiatives. Despite Abbott's previous criticism of BlackRock, he praised the new exchange for its potential to reduce regulatory burdens compared to NYSE and Nasdaq.
Ms. Rachel, a popular children's YouTube creator, faced backlash from conservative parents after posting a video celebrating Pride Month. Despite the criticism, she stood by her message of love and inclusion, emphasizing that everyone is welcome. The controversy follows previous incidents where she faced criticism for supporting LGBTQ+ issues and fundraising for children in conflict areas.
Four years after George Floyd's death, corporate America's commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are under scrutiny amid growing conservative backlash. While some companies are rethinking their DEI initiatives due to legal challenges and political pressure, many continue to support these efforts, albeit less vocally. The focus is shifting towards "inclusion" to create fair opportunities for all, as companies navigate the evolving legal and social landscape.
Conservatives criticized liberal politicians and media for labeling a Revolutionary War-era flag as a "MAGA battle flag" to link Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. They argued the flag is a historic patriotic symbol, not a sign of insurrection, and defended Alito against accusations of supporting rioters.
Hard-line conservatives are threatening retaliation against fellow Republicans who voted against a proposed warrant requirement for domestic communications in foreign surveillance operations, accusing them of empowering the "deep state" and undermining constitutional liberties. Although the broader FISA package passed through the House easily, hard-liners immediately blocked its transmission to the Senate, aiming to draw attention to the vote and pressure Republicans who opposed the measure. Speaker Mike Johnson's support for FISA has sparked criticism from conservative colleagues, with some threatening to campaign against those who voted against the warrant mandate.
GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw criticized Tucker Carlson as a "click-chaser" and a "cowardly, know-nothing elitist who is full of s**t," accusing him of defending America's enemies and attacking its allies. Crenshaw's comments came in response to Carlson's interview with a Palestinian Christian pastor, where he accused Carlson of peddling conspiracy theories and using his platform to sow doubt and paranoia for profit. Crenshaw predicted that Carlson's faux intellectualism would eventually fade, revealing his true nature.
