The stage is set for a Super Bowl showdown that extends beyond the football field. As Bad Bunny prepares to headline the NFL’s official halftime show on , Turning Point USA is launching “The All-American Halftime Show,” a rival broadcast headlined by Kid Rock.
The move comes as a direct response to conservative backlash against Bad Bunny’s selection, with some critics taking issue with the Puerto Rican artist’s past comments regarding U.S. Immigration policy and his decision to perform in Spanish. According to Martin Lüthe of the John-F.-Kennedy-Institut für Nordamerikastudien in Berlin, Bad Bunny’s choice to sing in Spanish is “rather unusual” in mainstream American pop, fueling anxieties among some conservative viewers about the growing presence of the language in the United States. Lüthe also noted that Bad Bunny’s music contains elements of “Queerness” which is unwelcome to conservative audiences.
Turning Point USA, the non-profit organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, announced the alternative concert on . The lineup also includes country artists Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. The event, titled “The All-American Halftime Show,” is scheduled to air around 8 p.m. ET on , coinciding with the NFL’s halftime performance.
Kid Rock framed the event as a David-versus-Goliath battle, stating, “We’re approaching this show like David and Goliath. Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible…or is it?” He also directly addressed Bad Bunny’s planned performance, saying, “He’s said he’s having a dance party, wearing a dress, and singing in Spanish? Cool. We plan to play great songs for folks who love America.”
Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet explained that the alternative broadcast is intended to offer families a different viewing option. The organization aims to create an “immersive, high-energy experience” that allows viewers to feel “up close and personal” with the performers, contrasting with the scale of a stadium show. The event is described as a celebration of “faith, family, and freedom.”
The organization itself was founded 13 years ago by the right-conservative Charlie Kirk. According to information provided, Turning Point USA advocates for personal responsibility and free markets. Following Kirk’s death in September 2025, his wife, Erika, now leads the non-profit.
This isn’t the first instance of controversy surrounding the Super Bowl halftime show. Former President Donald Trump reportedly criticized the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny as “laughable” and stated he had never heard of the artist, according to the New York Post. He had previously indicated he would not attend this year’s Super Bowl.
The launch of “The All-American Halftime Show” raises questions about whether similar counter-programming events will become a recurring feature of future Super Bowls. Lüthe suggests that the NFL may opt for less polarizing performers in subsequent years, potentially rendering such alternative broadcasts unnecessary. He posits that some sports fans simply “want to see this football game without a political lens.”
Kid Rock, a long-time supporter of Donald Trump, has a history of politically charged performances, including a modified version of his song “American Bad Ass” at the 2024 Republican National Convention. His involvement underscores the explicitly political nature of Turning Point USA’s alternative halftime show.
The Super Bowl consistently draws massive viewership, with nearly 128 million people tuning in annually in the United States. The competing halftime shows promise to add another layer of intrigue to this year’s event, reflecting the ongoing cultural and political divisions within the country.
