Kid Rock Leads Turning Point USA Halftime Show

On Sunday, February 8, 2026, as millions of eyes turn to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX, a cultural showdown will play out far beyond the football field. While Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny headlines the NFL’s official halftime show, Turning Point USA is staging its own “All-American Halftime Show,” headlined by Kid Rock and featuring a roster of country music talent. The event, positioned as a conservative alternative to the glitzy NFL spectacle, promises to celebrate "faith, family, and freedom"—and is already sparking heated debate about entertainment, politics, and American identity.

Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, announced its ambitious halftime event as direct counterprogramming to the NFL’s selection of Bad Bunny, a global pop icon whose outspoken political stances have ruffled feathers on the American right. The “All-American Halftime Show” will feature Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, and will stream at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time—the same moment Bad Bunny is expected to take the stage at the Super Bowl (Country Rebel, February 2, 2026; Consequence, February 2, 2026).

Kid Rock, no stranger to mixing music with politics, set the tone in a statement: “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 continued, referencing rumors about Bad Bunny’s set: “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.” (Consequence, February 2, 2026; Vanity Fair, February 2, 2026). It’s worth noting that the claim about Bad Bunny wearing a dress is a social media rumor and not based in fact.

Alongside Kid Rock, the show’s lineup is stacked with country music stars. Brantley Gilbert, best known for the hit “Bottoms Up,” Lee Brice of “I Drive Your Truck” fame, and Gabby Barrett, who won the Academy of Country Music’s “new female artist of the year” award in 2021, will all perform (Vanity Fair, February 2, 2026). The event will be accessible across a wide range of platforms, including Turning Point USA’s YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and Rumble channels, as well as right-leaning outlets like Daily Wire+, Real America’s Voice, TBN, CHARGE!, The National News Desk, NTD.com, and OAN News (TPUSA.com, February 2026).

Andrew Kolvet, spokesperson for Turning Point USA, described the halftime show as “an opportunity for all Americans to enjoy a halftime show with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family, and freedom.” He added, “We set out 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. These performers will deliver exactly that, and we can’t wait to watch the incredible show they’re about to put on. We know millions around the country will be watching too” (TPUSA.com, February 2026; Vanity Fair, February 2, 2026).

The origins of the “All-American Halftime Show” trace back to the fall of 2025, when the NFL announced Bad Bunny as its halftime performer. The decision was met with a wave of criticism from conservative commentators and politicians, including Megyn Kelly, Benny Johnson, and former President Donald Trump. Kelly called the choice “a middle finger to MAGA and conservatives” on her Sirius XM show, while Trump labeled Bad Bunny “a terrible choice” and said, “It’s, like, crazy. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous” (Vanity Fair, February 2, 2026).

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is no stranger to controversy. He’s been outspoken against ICE and the Trump administration’s immigration policies, and he made headlines for not bringing his sold-out world tour to the continental U.S., citing concerns about ICE enforcement. At the 2026 Grammy Awards, Bad Bunny made history when his album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” became the first Spanish-language album to win Album of the Year. Accepting the award, he declared, “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans” (The New York Times, February 2, 2026).

The Super Bowl halftime show is more than just a concert—it’s routinely the world’s most-watched musical performance. Last year’s show drew an audience of over 130 million people (The New York Times, February 2, 2026). This year, the NFL’s decision to spotlight a Latin artist who often sings in Spanish and has openly criticized conservative policies has become a flashpoint in the ongoing American culture wars.

Turning Point USA’s alternative show is not just about music; it’s a statement. Founded by Charlie Kirk with the mission to “identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government,” the group has seen a surge in interest since Kirk’s tragic death in September 2025. Nearly 90,000 people attended his memorial at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, a testament to his influence among young conservatives (Country Rebel, February 2, 2026).

The “All-American Halftime Show” is being promoted as a family-friendly, patriotic event. But it’s also a clear response to what many on the right see as the NFL’s embrace of progressive values and multiculturalism. The show’s website even surveyed visitors on what genres should be performed, offering options like “Americana,” “Worship,” and the pointed “Anything in English” (Vanity Fair, February 2, 2026).

Meanwhile, rumors swirl about possible surprise guests, with names like Nicki Minaj—who recently expressed support for President Trump—tossed into the mix. As of now, though, the confirmed lineup remains Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. The event’s exact location has not been disclosed, but organizers insist the show will go on as planned, streaming to audiences across the country (Vanity Fair, February 2, 2026).

As the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots face off for the championship, the halftime break will offer viewers a choice: tune in to the NFL’s official show, celebrating Latin music’s global reach, or switch over to Turning Point USA’s unabashedly patriotic counterprogramming. The dueling performances reflect a broader debate about who gets to define American culture—and what values are celebrated on its biggest stage.

For fans on either side of the divide, this year’s Super Bowl halftime is shaping up to be about more than just entertainment. It’s a battle over identity, belonging, and the ever-shifting meaning of “America.”