As the NFL’s Super Bowl LX approaches on February 8, 2026, a cultural clash is brewing that extends far beyond the football field. While millions of viewers anticipate the league’s headline halftime show starring Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, a parallel spectacle is taking shape: Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show, led by Kid Rock and a lineup of country stars. The dueling performances—one sanctioned by the NFL and the other orchestrated by a conservative activist group—are shaping up to be a defining moment in America’s ongoing debate over entertainment, identity, and national values.
Turning Point USA (TPUSA), the organization behind the alternative halftime show, announced its plans in October 2025, shortly after the NFL revealed Bad Bunny as its headliner. The decision to feature the Grammy-winning artist, who sings predominantly in Spanish and hails from Puerto Rico (a U.S. territory), sparked immediate controversy. According to USA Today, it took about a week for prominent political figures—including President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson—to call for a boycott of the NFL, citing concerns over the league’s choice.
At the heart of TPUSA’s counterprogramming is Kid Rock, a musician known for both his chart-topping hits and outspoken conservative views. In a statement released by TPUSA and reported by Pensacola News Journal, Kid Rock declared, “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 didn’t shy away from referencing Bad Bunny’s own comments about his performance, adding, “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.”
Joining Kid Rock on stage are country stars Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. Gilbert is recognized for hits such as “Dirt Road Anthem” and “Bottoms Up,” while Brice’s “One of Them Girls” and “Rumor” have made waves on country charts. Barrett, the only female artist in the lineup, broke through with her single “I Hope.” The show, described on the TPUSA website and echoed by Los Angeles Times, is billed as “a unique, patriotic event proudly celebrating American culture, freedom, and faith.” Organizers emphasize that the All-American Halftime Show has “no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family, and freedom,” aiming to provide “an entertainment option that will be fun, excellent, and exciting for the entire family while millions are gathered together for the big game.”
For viewers interested in tuning in, the All-American Halftime Show will air live during the Super Bowl, around 8 p.m. Eastern Time, to coincide with Bad Bunny’s performance. TPUSA has made the event widely accessible, streaming it across its social media channels—including YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and Rumble—as well as on partner platforms such as Daily Wire+, Real America’s Voice, TBN, CHARGE!, The National News Desk, NTD.com, and OAN News. This broad distribution strategy reflects the group’s intent to reach as many Americans as possible, regardless of their cable or streaming preferences.
The controversy surrounding the NFL’s selection of Bad Bunny is not new, but it has intensified as the Super Bowl draws near. According to Pensacola News Journal, Bad Bunny is not only the first Latin artist in history to notch 100 career hits on the Billboard Hot 100, but he has also been a vocal critic of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In 2025, he canceled the entire U.S. leg of his world tour, citing fears that his audience might become a target. His activism and prominence have made him a lightning rod for political debate, especially among conservative circles.
President Trump, never one to shy away from cultural battles, called the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny “absolutely ridiculous” and, in a move that drew national attention, implied that ICE agents would be present at the Super Bowl. The NFL, for its part, has stood firm. Commissioner Roger Goodell told Associated Press on October 22, 2025, that the decision to select Bad Bunny as the halftime headliner was “carefully thought through.” The league has maintained that its goal is to reflect the diversity and dynamism of its fan base, a point underscored by Bad Bunny’s status as a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico.
Kid Rock’s involvement in the TPUSA show is emblematic of the broader political and cultural divisions at play. A close ally of President Trump, Kid Rock has become increasingly vocal about his conservative beliefs in recent years, even performing at the 2024 Republican National Convention. His presence at the All-American Halftime Show is both a draw for like-minded viewers and a statement of intent: this is entertainment with a message, designed to offer an alternative to what some perceive as the NFL’s embrace of progressive values.
While the NFL’s Super Bowl broadcast will air on NBC—accessible via local stations such as Channel 11 on Cox, Channel 12 or 13 on Mediacom, and Channel 7 on DirecTV—the TPUSA event leverages digital platforms to circumvent traditional gatekeepers. It’s a strategy that mirrors the group’s broader efforts to engage audiences outside mainstream media channels, tapping into a growing appetite for content that aligns with their worldview.
The broader debate over the Super Bowl halftime show reflects deeper questions about who gets to define American culture and whose voices are amplified on the nation’s biggest stage. For some, Bad Bunny’s performance represents a celebration of multiculturalism and the changing face of the United States. For others, the TPUSA event is a rallying cry for traditional values and a rejection of what they see as the politicization of entertainment.
As the clock ticks down to kickoff at 5:30 p.m. Central Time, fans have more choices than ever—both on the field and during halftime. Whether viewers opt for the NFL’s official broadcast or TPUSA’s parallel celebration, one thing is clear: this year’s Super Bowl is about much more than football. It’s a reflection of the country’s ongoing struggle to define itself, one show at a time.
In a year when America’s cultural and political divides are on full display, the dueling halftime shows offer a telling snapshot of a nation in flux—and a reminder that, sometimes, the most interesting battles happen off the field.