The Super Bowl LX halftime show wasn’t the only musical event vying for attention on Sunday. As Bad Bunny delivered a performance watched by an estimated 100 million viewers, Kid Rock staged a competing concert organized by Turning Point USA, a right-wing organization. The event, dubbed “The All American Halftime Show,” was a direct response to the NFL’s selection of Bad Bunny, who has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s policies.
The clash highlighted a growing cultural divide, with the NFL’s choice sparking a boycott from President Trump and his cabinet. Turning Point USA framed their event as a patriotic alternative, featuring Kid Rock alongside country artists Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. The concert, livestreamed on YouTube, drew over 5 million viewers, a fraction of the Super Bowl’s audience but a significant turnout for a counter-programming effort.
Kid Rock opened the show with an electric guitar rendition of “America the Beautiful,” setting a distinctly nationalistic tone. Gilbert followed with performances of “Real American” and “Dirt Road Anthem,” while Barrett delivered her hit song “I Hope.” Brice contributed “Drinking Class” and “Cry” before Rock returned to the stage, performing his 1999 hit “Bawitdaba” and concluding with a cover of Cody Johnson’s “‘Til You Can’t.” The performance also included a tribute to Charlie Kirk, the late founder of Turning Point USA, featuring photos and video.
The event’s origins trace back to October, when Turning Point USA began organizing the alternative halftime show after Bad Bunny was announced as the Super Bowl headliner. The organization even polled its followers on preferred musical genres, receiving responses favoring “Classic Rock,” “Country,” “Americana,” and “Anything in English” – a clear indication of the intended audience and message.
While the Super Bowl halftime show concluded before the Turning Point USA concert reached its end, the timing was deliberate, aiming to capture viewers dissatisfied with the NFL’s choice. The contrast between Bad Bunny’s performance, largely in Spanish, and the all-American lineup curated by Turning Point USA underscored the political and cultural motivations behind both events.
The reaction from political figures was swift. President Trump took to social media to criticize Bad Bunny’s performance, calling it “absolutely terrible” and lamenting that “Nobody understands a word this guy is saying.” This sentiment fueled the support for the Turning Point USA event, which positioned itself as a celebration of American values and musical traditions.
Despite the political undertones, the concert itself appeared to be a well-produced event, complete with pyrotechnics and a high-energy performance from Kid Rock. However, some observers noted that the backup track seemed to carry much of the weight during Rock’s set. The concert concluded with an emotional appeal, as Kid Rock encouraged fans to embrace Christianity.
The viewership numbers, while significantly lower than the Super Bowl’s, demonstrate a clear appetite for alternative entertainment options among a segment of the population. The success of “The All American Halftime Show” suggests that politically charged cultural events can attract a substantial audience, even when competing with mainstream entertainment giants.
The events surrounding Super Bowl LX underscore the increasing intersection of sports, politics, and entertainment. The NFL’s decision to feature Bad Bunny, a globally recognized artist who openly challenges political norms, inevitably drew a reaction from conservative groups. Turning Point USA’s response, while ultimately reaching a smaller audience, served as a powerful statement about the cultural battles being waged in the United States.
