As Bad Bunny prepares to headline the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on Feb. 8, Turning Point USA has announced its own rival event, offering Cristian viewers a wholesome alternative that’s headlined by the expletive-spitting “American Bada**,” Kid Rock.
When the NFL announced Bad Bunny – the Puerto Rico–born global superstar and American citizen – as the 2026 Super Bowl LX Halftime Show performer, the decision quickly drew criticism.
Some of the loudest backlash came from right-wing commentators and President Donald Trump.
“I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it – it’s, like, crazy,” Trump said, slamming the decision, per Entertainment Weekly. “They blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
The 79-year-old president has already said he will not attend. “I’m anti-them. I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible,” Trump the New York Post in a January 2026 of Bad Bunny and Green Day, who will kick off the game-day ceremonies at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Bad Bunny to Trump: ‘We’re not animals’
At the 2026 Grammys, Bad Bunny became the first Spanish-language album to win the Grammy Award for album of the year. He also won best Música Urbana Album and Best Global Music Performance.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say, ‘ICE out,’” he said on stage while accepting one of his there Grammy Awards. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, we are humans and we are Americans.”
The artist has also been openly critical of Trump. Last year, he released the song “Nuevayol,” which featured an imitated Trump voice saying: “I made a mistake. I want to apologize to the immigrants in America…This country is nothing without the immigrants. This country is nothing without Mexicans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Venezuelans, Cubans.”
Spanish halftime
The rapper and singer, whose meteoric rise to fame started in 2016, almost always performs in Spanish and is expected to do so during the halftime show for this years’ Super Bowl.
During his hosting stint on Saturday Night Live in October 2025, Bad Bunny addressed viewers in Spanish before adding, “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”
That same month, conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA (TPUSA) announced it would broadcast an “All-American Halftime Show,” livestreaming at the same time as NFL’s official halftime show.
TPUSA lineup announced
TPUSA, founded by late right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk, initially kept its lineup secret. This week, the organization – now run by Erika Kirk, 37 – revealed that it will feature Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett.
Kid Rock, who reached his musical peak in the 2000s, is a close ally of Trump and has become increasingly outspoken about his conservative views. Gilbert and Brice are middle-tier names in country music, while Barrett – who scored third place on American Idol, season 16 – earned one top 10 hit on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 with “I Hope” in 2020.
“We’re approaching this show like David and Goliath,” Kid Rock said in a statement, according to USA Today. “Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible … or is it?”
THE LINEUP FOR THE ALL-AMERICAN HALFTIME SHOW IS HERE! 🔥
Watch Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett THIS SUNDAY 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/xwurEhdB13
— Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) February 2, 2026
“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,” continued the “American Bada**,” who in his song “Cool, Daddy Cool,” said: “Young ladies, young ladies / I like ‘em underage / see some say that’s statutory (But I say it’s mandatory).”
Alternative is “so un-American’
Vice President J.D. Vance publicly praised the lineup on X, writing, “Fantastic lineup for the TPUSA halftime show, including the great Bob Ritchie AKA KID ROCK.”
However, reaction online suggests the announcement has not generated the enthusiasm TPUSA may have hoped for.
Critics were quick to mock the alternative event, with one user writing, “If you have to have an alternative lineup for the Super Bowl, there’s something so un-American about you that you can’t fix it.” Another asked, “Why do you hate Americans? Why aren’t you supporting the Americans performing at the REAL Super Bowl Halftime Show?” A third joked, “Nothing says ‘grassroots movement like the same halftime playlist from 2008.”
On TPUSA-related posts, one commenter described the event as “republicans with their Temu halftime show,” while another added, “I’ll be watching but I am a little disappointed in this lineup. Going to struggle getting Gen Z to care.”
A third pointed out that Kid Rock’s lyrics – peppered with expletives – may not be suitable for the audience: “I’m so looking forward to seeing Kid Rock’s set list for TPUSA’s halftime show! Such Christian classics as ‘Bawitdaba,’ ‘American Bada**,’ and ‘You Never Met a Motherf***** Quite Like Me!’ Praise Jesus!”
Will you be livestreaming the TPUSA event or watching the real Super Bowl Halftime Show? Please let us know what you think of the alternative show and then share this story so we can hear from others!
