Turning Point USA announced on Monday that Kid Rock will headline its alternative halftime show, set to livestream during the Super Bowl on Sunday night — directly competing with Bad Bunny’s official NFL halftime performance.
The counter-programming event, branded the “All American Halftime Show,” is being promoted as a celebration of “faith, family and freedom.” The livestream will air across Turning Point USA’s social media platforms during the Super Bowl broadcast.
Kid Rock, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, will be joined by country music artists Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, forming a lineup aimed squarely at conservative audiences dissatisfied with the NFL’s official entertainment choice.
“We’re approaching this show like David and Goliath,” Kid Rock said in a statement. “Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible… or is it?”
Political Attention Follows Announcement
The announcement quickly gained traction within Trump-aligned political circles. Among those responding publicly was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who posted on X, “Hey Turning Point USA, how can the Department of Defense get in on this?” shortly after the lineup was revealed.
Turning Point USA, founded by conservative activist Charlie Kirk and now led by his wife Erika Kirk following his assassination, has increasingly positioned itself as a cultural counterweight to mainstream entertainment institutions, including the NFL.
The alternative halftime show follows months of conservative backlash toward the league’s decision to select Bad Bunny as the headliner for Super Bowl LX, where the Seattle Seahawks will face the New England Patriots.
Trump Criticism of Bad Bunny
Former President Trump publicly criticized the NFL’s choice last fall, dismissing Bad Bunny during an interview with Newsmax.
“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous,” Trump said at the time. “I’ve never heard of him.”
Despite Trump’s remarks, Bad Bunny — born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — is one of the most successful artists in the world. He is set to make history as the first male Latin artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. In 2025, he was Spotify’s most streamed artist globally and recently won Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
Immigration Politics Fuel Culture Clash
Bad Bunny has been outspoken in his opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration policies and has frequently been labeled a “Trump hater” by MAGA-aligned influencers. He notably excluded the United States from his current world tour, citing concerns that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids could endanger fans attending shows.
During the 2024 presidential election, the Puerto Rican superstar endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris, further cementing his status as a political lightning rod on the right.
The tension resurfaced Sunday night at the Grammys, where Bad Bunny used his acceptance speech to criticize the administration’s immigration crackdown.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say: ICE out,” he said. “We’re not savages. We’re not animals. We’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”
A Nation Divided — Even at Halftime
The Trump administration has dramatically intensified immigration enforcement nationwide, expanding ICE operations in major cities as part of a broader rollback of Biden-era immigration policies. The surge in raids and arrests has sparked widespread protests, some of which escalated into violent confrontations between civilians and federal agents.
The political divide has now spilled into America’s most-watched television event, transforming the Super Bowl halftime into a symbolic culture war battleground — with Kid Rock and Turning Point USA offering a conservative alternative to Bad Bunny’s historic performance.
Whether audiences tune in to the NFL’s official halftime show, Turning Point’s livestream, or both, Sunday night’s Super Bowl promises to deliver not just football and music, but a vivid snapshot of a deeply polarized America.
