Turning Point USA Unveils Patriotic Super Bowl Halftime Show

As the anticipation for Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots reaches fever pitch, a new kind of halftime show is making headlines—and it’s not the one taking place under the NFL’s official spotlight. Turning Point USA, a conservative advocacy group founded by the late Charlie Kirk, has announced its own star-studded alternative: “The All-American Halftime Show.” The event, which promises to celebrate “American faith, family, and freedom,” is set to air at 8 p.m. ET on February 8, 2026, directly competing with the NFL’s main event in San Francisco.

“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?” said Kid Rock in a statement issued through Turning Point USA, echoing a sense of underdog determination. The lineup, now confirmed, features Kid Rock himself, Country Music Award winner Brantley Gilbert, country star Lee Brice, and breakout artist Gabby Barrett. The show will be livestreamed on Turning Point USA’s YouTube Channel, X (formerly Twitter), and Rumble accounts, as well as broadcast on Sinclair Broadcast Group’s OTT channel CHARGE! and other distribution partners including Daily Wire+, Real America’s Voice, and One America News Network. This broad distribution ensures that the event will be accessible to millions of viewers across the country, providing an alternative for those seeking a different halftime experience.

Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet explained the organization’s motivation for launching the alternative show. “The All-American Halftime Show is an opportunity for all Americans to enjoy a halftime show with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family, and freedom,” Kolvet told Fox News Digital. He added, “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.” Kolvet emphasized that, unlike the massive stadium spectacle of the NFL, this event aims for an immersive, high-energy experience that “lets the viewer up close and personal.”

The timing of this alternative event is no coincidence. The NFL’s official halftime show, headlined this year by Puerto Rican pop superstar Bad Bunny, has drawn sharp criticism from some conservative circles. Bad Bunny’s selection by the NFL’s partners at Apple Music and Roc Nation was announced last fall, but the choice quickly became a flashpoint. According to Nexstar Media, Bad Bunny is known for pushing cultural boundaries, particularly on issues of gender and diversity, and his performances often reflect a global, multilingual perspective. The official halftime show, expected to reach over 120 million viewers worldwide, has thus become a stage not just for entertainment, but for broader cultural debates.

Kid Rock, never one to shy away from controversy, drew a clear contrast between the two events. “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,” Rock said, referencing Bad Bunny’s plans for the official halftime performance. This sentiment taps into a broader backlash among some conservatives who see the NFL’s choice as emblematic of shifting cultural values in America. The announcement of Turning Point USA’s show followed months of criticism by Republican figures, including former President Donald Trump, who last fall told Newsmax, “I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s crazy. And then they blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Adding fuel to the fire, Bad Bunny has previously spoken out about his reluctance to hold concerts in the contiguous United States due to concerns about immigration enforcement. In a September 2025 interview with i-D Magazine, he explained, “But there was the issue of — like, f---ing ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.” This stance has only intensified the debate, with some right-wing critics interpreting it as a rejection of American audiences or as a political statement in itself.

The controversy surrounding the official halftime show is not limited to Bad Bunny’s selection. Green Day, the legendary punk band led by Billie Joe Armstrong, is scheduled to perform ahead of kickoff. Armstrong has been openly critical of Trump in the past, adding another layer of political tension to the day’s entertainment lineup. Trump, for his part, has announced he plans to skip the game altogether, citing both the California location and his dissatisfaction with the halftime performers.

Turning Point USA’s event has also generated intrigue regarding its own lineup. After Nicki Minaj appeared onstage alongside Erika Kirk at a Turning Point USA event in December 2025, speculation swirled that the superstar might join the alternative halftime show. However, the final roster features Kid Rock and his fellow country artists, reinforcing the event’s focus on traditional American themes and values. As TMZ noted, “it looks like MAGA is rocking with Kid Rock and co.”

The strategic rollout of “The All-American Halftime Show” began in October 2025, shortly after the NFL’s announcement of Bad Bunny’s headlining role. According to multiple outlets, the move was a direct response to what some Republicans saw as a misstep by the league. By offering a parallel broadcast, Turning Point USA is not just providing an alternative for viewers—it’s making a cultural statement about the kind of America it wants to celebrate.

For viewers, the choice between halftime shows reflects broader currents in American society. On one side, there’s Bad Bunny’s high-profile, boundary-pushing performance, backed by some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. On the other, there’s Turning Point USA’s patriotic concert, designed to invoke a sense of nostalgia and national pride. Both shows are likely to draw millions, but for very different reasons.

As the clock ticks down to Super Bowl Sunday, the battle for America’s halftime attention is shaping up to be as competitive as the game itself. Whether viewers are tuning in for Kid Rock’s “great songs for folks who love America,” or for Bad Bunny’s global pop spectacle, one thing is certain: this year’s halftime will be remembered not just for its music, but for what it says about the cultural divides—and shared passions—of the nation.

With both performances poised to make their mark, the real winners may be the viewers, who now have more choices than ever before when it comes to how they celebrate one of America’s biggest sporting events.