Composer of 'Halo' video games says he was disinvited from convention event for being a Republican politician

August 13, 2026 - 11:01

Marty O'Donnell, the composer known for his work on the Halo video game series, says he was uninvited from a planned reunion event at SacAnime after staff raised concerns about his political statements. O'Donnell, who ran as a Republican candidate for Nevada's U.S. Senate seat in 2024, said the convention initially asked him to appear for a Halo 25th anniversary panel. But that invitation was later withdrawn.

According to O'Donnell, the decision came after LGBTQ staff members at the convention objected to comments he made during a podcast interview while he was campaigning. He said the remarks were taken out of context and that he never intended to offend anyone. The composer, who also worked on music for Destiny, said he was disappointed that a celebration of a beloved game franchise became tangled up in politics.

SacAnime has not issued a public statement about the incident. O'Donnell shared the news on social media, saying he had been looking forward to meeting fans and discussing the music that helped define the Halo experience. He added that he still hopes to find other ways to connect with the community. The situation highlights how political divisions can spill into even the most nostalgic corners of pop culture.