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Kid Rock Headlines MAGA-Friendly Halftime Show as Protest to Bad Bunny
As Bad Bunny took center stage during the Super Bowl halftime show, a competing broadcast was unfolding online—one designed explicitly as a protest. Turning Point USA (TPUSA), the conservative activist group, aired its own “All American” Halftime Show, headlined by Kid Rock and framed as an ideological counterpoint to the global pop star’s historic performance.
Promoted as a celebration of “faith, family, and freedom,” the alternative show leaned heavily into patriotic symbolism and religious imagery. Featuring performances by Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett, the nearly 30-minute livestream positioned itself as a cultural rebuttal to Bad Bunny’s Spanish-language halftime show.
Trump Slams Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, Igniting Culture War Debate
A Performance Built on Patriotism and Politics
The broadcast opened with an electric-guitar rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” setting the tone for a night steeped in nationalism. Brantley Gilbert kicked things off wearing a “God Family Country” T-shirt, declaring “this is real America” before launching into his song “Real American.”
Lee Brice followed with remarks honoring late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, framing his performance as an extension of Kirk’s mission to amplify conservative voices. Lyrics emphasizing traditional gender roles and small-town values underscored the show’s political messaging.
Gabby Barrett delivered some of the night’s strongest musical moments with her hit songs, offering a rare pause from the overt ideological framing. Still, the overall tone remained unmistakably partisan.
Kid Rock’s Headline Moment
Kid Rock appeared toward the end of the show, opening with “Bawitdaba” while much of the vocal track played over backing audio. He later returned in a wardrobe change to perform a cover of “Til You Can’t,” closing out the broadcast with a montage honoring Charlie Kirk’s legacy.
Ahead of the event, Kid Rock described the show as a “David versus Goliath” challenge against both the NFL and a global superstar. But the comparison was hard to sustain. While the livestream reportedly peaked at nearly five million viewers, it aired opposite the most-watched television event of the year.
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Why Bad Bunny Became the Flashpoint
Turning Point USA announced the alternative show shortly after the NFL revealed Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl halftime headliner. The choice sparked backlash from conservative figures, including President Donald Trump, largely because Bad Bunny became the first artist to perform a fully Spanish-language halftime show.
Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rico native and US citizen, has been outspoken about immigration policy and recently criticized federal enforcement actions during a major awards speech. His political views—and global popularity—made him a symbolic target in a broader culture war.
A Culture Clash on America’s Biggest Stage
Ultimately, the rival halftime show revealed less about music competition and more about political polarization. While Bad Bunny represented the NFL’s push toward global audiences and cultural inclusion, Turning Point USA’s alternative broadcast leaned into grievance-driven symbolism.
The result was not a true rivalry for attention, but a snapshot of how even entertainment’s biggest moments have become battlegrounds for America’s ongoing cultural divide.
