Turning Point USA is staging its own halftime show during Super Bowl Sunday, and Kid Rock will take center stage.
The organization announced Monday that the outspoken Trump supporter will headline what they’re calling an “All-American” alternative to the NFL’s official halftime performance featuring Bad Bunny.
It’s a bold move that pits a conservative counter-programming effort against one of the biggest entertainment spectacles in American sports.
And it’s shaping up to be more than just a concert—it’s becoming a cultural flashpoint.
The Battle for Halftime
TPUSA first floated plans for an alternative halftime show last fall, right after conservative backlash erupted over Bad Bunny’s selection as this year’s official NFL halftime performer. The Puerto Rican superstar, who is himself a U.S. citizen, has been openly critical of Donald Trump and has expressed concerns about performing in America due to ICE enforcement policies.
Kid Rock isn’t backing down from the challenge of going head-to-head with both the NFL and a global music phenomenon.
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?
The question hangs in the air as two very different visions of American entertainment prepare to compete for viewers’ attention.
Who’s Performing at TPUSA’s Show
Kid Rock won’t be going it alone. The lineup features several country and rock artists who align with conservative values:
- Brantley Gilbert – Country rock artist known for hits like “Bottoms Up”
- Lee Brice – Chart-topping country singer behind “I Drive Your Truck”
- Gabby Barrett – “American Idol” finalist and rising country star
The show will stream across multiple conservative-friendly platforms including Daily Wire+, Real America’s Voice, OAN News, and TPUSA’s social media channels. That’s a significantly different distribution strategy than the NFL’s broadcast, which will reach over 100 million viewers on traditional television.
Bad Bunny Makes Grammy History
While TPUSA prepared its announcement, Bad Bunny was making history at the Grammy Awards. He became the first artist ever to win Album of the Year for a non-English-language album—a groundbreaking moment for Latin music on the global stage.
His acceptance speech wasn’t just about music. During his earlier win for Best Música Urbana Album, Bad Bunny made his political stance crystal clear.
We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans.
He also called for “ICE Out” before millions of viewers, making his halftime show selection all the more politically charged in some circles.
Why Did the NFL Choose Bad Bunny?
Politics aside, Bad Bunny represents something bigger for the NFL: global reach. He’s consistently ranked as one of the most-streamed artists worldwide, and his selection signals the league’s push to expand its international audience.
Oliver Schusser, head of Apple Music (the halftime show sponsor), defended the choice in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last week.
Pick any artist that you would actually put on that stage, and then imagine, will 100 percent of the people be happy with that artist? I’m very proud to be working with them on this, and they made a great choice.
His point cuts to the heart of the matter: no halftime performer will ever satisfy everyone. The NFL appears to be leaning into that reality rather than running from it.
The Message Behind the Alternative Show
TPUSA isn’t framing their event as purely oppositional. According to spokesman Andrew Kolvet, it’s about offering something different—entertainment without what they perceive as political messaging.
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.
Whether viewers see it that way depends largely on their perspective. To some, it’s a welcome alternative. To others, organizing a counter-show in response to Bad Bunny’s selection is itself a political statement.
What This Means for Entertainment and Politics
Super Bowl halftime shows have always courted controversy—from Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction to Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling protests influencing performer selections. But this year marks something new: a direct, organized counter-programming effort from a political organization.
It raises questions about how entertainment, sports, and politics continue to intersect in American culture. Can major cultural events remain apolitical? Should they?
The answer seems increasingly clear: in 2025, everything is political—even halftime shows.
Whether TPUSA’s alternative show gains significant traction remains to be seen. Competing with the NFL’s massive audience and production budget is indeed a David-versus-Goliath scenario, as Kid Rock framed it.
But in an era of fragmented media and partisan echo chambers, perhaps the real story isn’t who wins the ratings battle—it’s that two completely different halftime shows now exist, reflecting an increasingly divided cultural landscape.