On February 8, 2026, as Bad Bunny delivered the NFL’s official halftime performance at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, conservative group Turning Point USA unveiled its alternative event, the All-American Halftime Show. This counter-programming was created to offer viewers an option celebrating American culture, faith, and freedom in response to the NFL’s choice of halftime entertainer, marking a cultural and ideological division during one of America’s most-watched broadcasts. Kid Rock headlined the Turning Point USA show alongside country artists Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, and Gabby Barrett, providing a stark contrast to the NFL’s star-studded lineup.
Kid Rock’s Role and Message in the All-American Halftime Show
Robert James Ritchie, widely known as Kid Rock, has a musical career spanning hip-hop, country rock, and pop/rock genres. At 55, he was recognized as the Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist at the 2003 American Music Awards and has frequently associated with conservative political causes, including performances for former President Donald Trump. Despite his political affiliations, Kid Rock emphasized that the event was not aimed at making a political statement but rather serving as entertainment for people who cherish faith, America, and football.
One thing important that I would like to get out there and say to everyone is that, I think I speak for us all at Turning Point, the other artists that are performing, when I say that in no way, shape, or form—don’t let the left twist this around—like, in no way are we approaching this with any hate in our hearts,
Kid Rock stated in a video shared on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, alongside conservative commentator Benny Johnson.
We’re simply going to go play some great songs, like I’ve said, for our base—people who love football, love America, love good music, love Jesus,
he added. It’s pretty much that simple.
Backlash, Support, and Official NFL Endorsement of Bad Bunny
The NFL remained steadfast in its support for Bad Bunny’s halftime performance despite conservative criticism. Prior to the Super Bowl, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised the Puerto Rican artist as
one of the great artists in the world.
Social media became a battleground of opinions, with figures like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly expressing excitement for Kid Rock’s All-American Halftime Show.
Conversely, the Obama Foundation made a playful remark directed at Bad Bunny on X, saying,
From one natural-born U.S. citizen to another, have a great Benito Bowl.
Additionally, Turning Point USA faced technical challenges due to streaming licensing restrictions and pivoted to host their event on YouTube later that evening.
Turning Point USA’s event was also bolstered by a video message from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who applauded the organization’s efforts.
From the War Department, we salute Turning Point USA and every American who still believes freedom is worth defending,
Hegseth said.
Thank you for your courage as an organization, your clarity and your leadership, and for this Halftime Show that the War Department is proud to support.
Commemorating Charlie Kirk Through Music and Tribute
The All-American Halftime Show carried a personal and solemn undertone as Kid Rock honored the late Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, who had recently passed away. On February 7, a day before the event, Turning Point USA shared a message from Kirk, emphasizing the cultural responsibility of major televised events.
When you have the most televised event for the entire year, that should be a reflection of the virtue that hopefully you want society to embody.
In a Fox News interview following Kirk’s death on October 10, Kid Rock reflected on how the tragedy deepened his spiritual connection.
It’s terrible that something like this had to happen to really bring everyone back to their faith—and even someone like myself who’s always been very spiritual, but even more so in the last several weeks,
he said.
I find myself writing those songs, and I’ve been writing a Gospel album for the last year, working on a Gospel album. So it’s not anything new, but yes, I have a lot of faith and hope in the younger generation,
he added.
During the All-American Halftime Show, Kid Rock performed an emotionally charged eight-minute set that included an added verse to Cody Johnson’s song Till You Can’t, which referenced Jesus and the Bible in a heartfelt tribute to Kirk.
Now, a few weeks ago, I woke up alone early on a Sunday morning and had this song stuck in my head,
Kid Rock shared.
And in that moment, someone or something spoke to me and told me there was still a verse missing from this song, and to get up and write it down. So I did. And now, I know exactly who was speaking to me that morning.
The verse he added included:
There’s a book that is sitting in your house somewhere that could use some dusting off / There’s a man that died for all our sins / Hanging from the cross / You can give your life to Jesus / And he’ll give you a second chance / ’Til you can’t, ’til you can’t.
Turning Point USA concluded their event with a dedicated tribute to Kirk, underscoring the deep connection between the event’s themes and faith.
Profile of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance and Cultural Statements
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny is a globally recognized artist known for performing primarily in Spanish and embracing a distinctive, gender-fluid style, including wearing dresses on stage. He was the most-streamed artist worldwide on Spotify in 2025. Ahead of his Super Bowl performance, Bad Bunny announced his refusal to perform elsewhere in the U.S. due to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Recently honored with a Grammy Award for Album of the Year, Bad Bunny used his acceptance speech to criticize federal immigration enforcement policies.
Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say, ICE out,
he declared.
We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.
The halftime performance featured special guests including Alix Earle, Cardi B, and Ricky Martin, with a cameo from Lady Gaga, who danced before performing her song Die With a Smile. Early in his set, Bad Bunny introduced himself in Spanish to the audience:
Mi nombre es Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. Y si hoy estoy aquí en el Super Bowl 60, es porque nunca, nunca dejé de creer en mí y tú también deberías de creer en ti, vales más de lo que piensas.
The English translation is:
My name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and if I’m here today at Super Bowl 60, it’s because I never, ever stopped believing in myself and you should also believe in yourself, you’re worth more than you think.
Throughout his set, Bad Bunny performed exclusively in Spanish, displaying his cultural pride by carrying a Puerto Rican flag during parts of the show. At the conclusion of the performance, he invoked a blessing on America and acknowledged countries across the Caribbean, Central, and South America, concluding with:
And my motherland, mi patria, Puerto Rico, seguimos aquí.
Translated as:
My homeland, Puerto Rico, we are still here.
The finale displayed multiple foreign flags alongside a billboard stating,
The only thing more powerful than hate is love.
Former President Donald Trump harshly criticized Bad Bunny’s halftime performance on the social media platform Truth Social.
Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World,
Trump wrote.
This ‘Show’ is just a ‘slap in the face’ to our Country, which is setting new standards and records every single day.
Broader Cultural and Political Repercussions Amid the Halftime Divide
The simultaneous presentation of two vastly different halftime shows at the 2026 Super Bowl illustrates a deeper cultural divide within the United States. The NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny, an outspoken advocate highlighting issues of immigration and identity through his music and public statements, represented an embrace of diverse voices and perspectives.
Meanwhile, Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show served as a platform for conservative audiences seeking entertainment aligned with traditional values, faith, and patriotism, symbolized by Kid Rock’s emotionally charged tribute to Charlie Kirk and a focus on Christian themes.
Government officials, supporters, and detractors from both sides expressed their views openly, foretelling ongoing debates surrounding American culture’s representation in mainstream media events. The presence of high-level endorsements, such as from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and public criticism from figures like Donald Trump, highlight how entertainment can become a battleground for cultural identity.
As the 2026 Super Bowl halftime performances fade from the immediate spotlight, this cultural clash could influence how future halftime shows are programmed, as well as how alternative entertainment options appeal to fragmented audiences. The contrasting events reveal that choices about music and messaging on national stages remain highly significant and deeply reflective of broader societal tensions.
