Standing atop the roof of Houston's NRG Stadium with drones illuminating an American flag in the night sky behind her, Lady Gaga kicked off her Super Bowl halftime set on Sunday by singing "God Bless America" as a subtle message of inclusion and unity in a deeply divided United States.
As many speculated about whether the outspoken singer would use her spotlight to protest women's rights, immigration or President Donald Trump, Gaga began the halftime performance by reciting part of the American Pledge of Allegiance, "one nation, indivisible with liberty and justice for all," on the rooftop of Houston's NRG stadium.
She then swung down from the roof to a stage suspended on cables and embarked on a meticulously choreographed 13-minute set of her greatest hits. This year's National Football League championship game, between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, followed a fierce presidential election campaign which Trump won in November and left the country just as divided as before the campaign. Trump was greeted with massive protests just after taking office on Jan. 20, and his policy moves have sparked further protests and controversy in the first weeks of his presidency.