Turning Point USA is shaking things up by announcing its own halftime show for the Super Bowl in response to the NFL book Bad Bunny as the official performer. The group, founded by Charlie Kirk, called it the “All American Halftime Show.” They’ve shared on social media that details about performers are coming soon and have even launched a survey asking fans what music styles they’d like to hear. Choices range from classic rock to worship music.
This alternative show aims to highlight “faith, family, and freedom,” but details about how viewers can watch it remain unclear. Fans may need to switch away from the Super Bowl broadcast to catch it.
Bad Bunny sparked a wave of controversy as one of the world’s biggest stars. His selection ignited discussion among right-wing commentators, many of whom critiqued his Spanish-language music and previous comments about avoiding the U.S. during his last tour due to fears of immigration enforcement.
Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security, claimed that enforcement agents would be present at the Super Bowl, insisting only “law-abiding Americans” should attend. House Speaker Mike Johnson also criticized the choice of Bad Bunny and suggested that a country artist like Lee Greenwood would resonate better with fans, despite Greenwood’s lower Spotify numbers compared to Bad Bunny’s impressive 80 million.
Donald Trump even weighed in, calling the decision “absolutely ridiculous,” even though he admitted he didn’t know who Bad Bunny was. The backlash reached even the airwaves, with hosts on “The Charlie Kirk Show” taking jabs at the artist.
In a light-hearted response, Bad Bunny tackled the criticism head-on during his “Saturday Night Live” monologue, where he thanked his fans in Spanish. He humorously added in English, “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”
As the Super Bowl approaches—set for February 8, 2026—it seems that musical choices and cultural clashes on this grand stage are only beginning to heat up. This moment reflects broader trends in media, where entertainment choices are often tied to political and cultural identities, resonating with the changing landscape of American values and tastes.
For more on the significance of music in today’s social climate, you can check out this piece from NPR on cultural expressions.
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Bad Bunny,Turning Point USA
