Donald Trump has said nothing about the “All-American” alternative Super Bowl performance, staged by Turning Point USA, to rival Bad Bunny's halftime show - as the conservative group announced plans for another event next year.
Kid Rock and a handful of other country artists reached up to 6.1 million concurrent viewers during a livestream at the same time as Bad Bunny's performance at Levi’s Stadium in California. Early estimates suggest more than 100 million watched the Puerto Rican superstar make history as the first Super Bowl headliner to perform mainly in Spanish.
Bad Bunny’s set celebrated his heritage and all countries of the Americas with scenes of Puerto Rico, flags, and even a wedding, as he was joined by surprise guests like Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. As his performance ended, a message was displayed across the stadium's scoreboards: "The only thing more powerful than hate is love."
The "All American" show lasted 35 minutes - double the length of Bad Bunny’s set - and was taped on a stage in Atlanta, Variety reported. Turning Point USA is planning another MAGA Super Bowl halftime show for 2027, spokesperson Andrew Kolvet told Fox News Monday.
A Kid Rock song played at the Turning Point event charted at number one on iTunes on Monday, topping the nearest Bad Bunny tune.
The performance by Bad Bunny was slammed by Trump on Truth Social as "one of the worst, EVER!” But video posted on social media showed the official halftime show on a large screen at a Mar-a-Lago watch party, and not the Turning Point USA concert.
Key Points
- Bad Bunny's halftime show played at Trump's Super Bowl watch party, social media video shows
- TPUSA's halftime show hits 6.1 million concurrent viewers
- Turning Point to bring back rival halftime show next year — despite drawing a fraction of Bad Bunny’s viewers
- Trump criticizes Bad Bunny halftime show, makes no mention of TPUSA event
Kid Rock addresses backlash to performance on social media
Sunday 8 February 2026 17:00 , Isabel KeaneDays before headlining Turning Point USA’s alternative to the Super Bowl halftime, Kid Rock seemed to address the backlash pointed at conservatives over the event.
The 55-year-old country rocker shared an image of a quote from legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant on Instagram Friday.
“Learn to love the hate. Embrace it. Enjoy it. You earned it. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and everyone should have one about you. Haters are a good problem to have. Nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones,” the quote read.
Turning Point USA shares video of Charlie Kirk saying Super Bowl should be 'reflection' of what 'you want society to embody'
Sunday 8 February 2026 19:00 , Isabel KeaneConservative nonprofit Turning Point USA shared a video of its late founder, Charlie Kirk, discussing how the Super Bowl should be a “reflection” of American values.
TPUSA is set to host the All-American Halftime as singer and rapper Bad Bunny takes the Super Bowl halftime stage.
The organization’s new event is in response to conservative outrage over the Puerto Rican singer’s planned performance.
“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,” Kirk says in the clip, shared by TPUSA on social media.
“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.”
— Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) February 7, 2026
That's why we've made the All-American Halftime Show.
Watch tomorrow around 8PM ET. pic.twitter.com/qyBWUlamlq
“That's why we've made the All-American Halftime Show,” the conservative organization notes in the post.
Country singer Brantley Gilbert defends decision to perform at Turning Point USA’s controversial halftime show
Sunday 8 February 2026 19:35 , Isabel KeaneBrantley Gilbert has cited his love for America as a reason why he’s performing at Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show, which has been organized in protest of the NFL’s 2026 Super Bowl music acts.
TPUSA, the right-wing political organization founded by late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, announced last October that it would host an alternative show February 8 — the same night as the NFL’s Super Bowl, which will see the New England Patriots face off against the Seattle Seahawks. Along with Gilbert, artists performing at the TPUSA event include Kid Rock, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett.
The event has drawn widespread criticism for its overtly political framing and cultural messaging, with some observers calling the “all-American” branding exclusionary while Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny headlines the official halftime show.
Amid the controversy, Gilbert shared a statement with Fox News to explain why he’s performing at the event.
“I’m a songwriter who grew up, and still lives in Jackson County, Georgia, whose goal in the music business was to sell out the local theater a few miles from my house and somehow make my living writing songs,” he said. “I’m a recovering addict with the history of all the bad choices that come with it. I’m not proud of those choices, but I am proud of the choice I’ve made to live in another direction.”
Video: Logan Paul asked if he's excited for Bad Bunny's halftime show
Sunday 8 February 2026 22:00 , Brendan RasciusInternet personality Logan Paul was asked if he is excited for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance this evening. See his response below.
Location of TPUSA's halftime remains unknown
Sunday 8 February 2026 23:20 , Brendan RasciusTurning Point USA’s Super Bowl halftime show will be streamed live on several platforms, but the location of the event has not been revealed.
The performance — which is being held as an alternative to Bad Bunny’s official halftime show — will feature Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett.
According to TPUSA, it will be aired on X and YouTube as well as by several outlets, including The Daily Wire and the One America News Network.
It’s unclear where these musicians will perform and whether or not an audience will be present.
Lee Brice posted a video on Instagram yesterday saying he was “on the way” to the halftime show. The footage showed him on a bus traveling in the dark.
A spokesperson for TPUSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent.
TPUSA halftime show begins with Star Spangled Banner
Monday 9 February 2026 01:12 , Brendan RasciusTPUSA’s halftime show has begun with an electric guitar rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.
The event kicked off with an announcer saying, “This is for you Charlie.” There is a small in-studio audience.
Brantley Gilbert sings 'Real American' and 'Dirt Road Anthem'
Monday 9 February 2026 01:17 , Brendan RasciusCountry musician Brantley Gilbert began by singing “Real American” and “Dirt Road Anthem.”
VIDEO: TPUSA's 'All-American' Super Bowl halftime show kicks off
Monday 9 February 2026 01:20 , Brendan RasciusTurning Point USA’s ‘All-American’ halftime show has begun. Watch the opening song below.
Country musician Gabby Barrett takes the stage
Monday 9 February 2026 01:22 , Brendan RasciusCountry musician Gabby Barrett took the stage to perform her hit song “I hope.”
The song features Charlie Puth, who sang the National Anthem at Levi’s Stadium earlier this evening.
Lee Brice performs songs 'Drinking Class' and 'Memory I Don't Mess With'
Monday 9 February 2026 01:32 , Brendan RasciusCountry artist Lee Brice took the stage to perform his song “Drinking Class,” sparking cheers from the audience.
“Charlie, he gave people microphones so they could say what’s on their mind,” he added before launching into a new song.
Kid Rock has taken the stage at the 'All-American' halftime show
Monday 9 February 2026 01:42 , Brendan RasciusKid Rock, TPUSA’s headliner, took the stage last. One of the songs he performed was ‘Til You Can’t’ by Cody Johnson.
Lee Brice debuted new song that features commentary on LGBTQ issues
Monday 9 February 2026 01:45 , Brendan RasciusLee Brice debuted a new song titled “Country Nowadays” that is set to be featured on his new album.
“It ain’t easy being country in this country nowadays,” he sang. “The direction of fingers point when it all goes up in flames, saying I’m some right wing deal, because I was downside red letter raised.”
His lyrics also touched on hot-button cultural issues.
“If I tell my own daughter, that little boys ain’t little girls… I’d be in hot water,” he sang. “Saying I’m some right-wing because I was down south Jesus raised!”
TPUSA's halftime show garnered about 4 million views on YouTube
Monday 9 February 2026 01:50 , Brendan RasciusTurning Point USA’s “All-American” Super Bowl halftime show, which ran for about 30 minutes, garnered roughly four million views on YouTube.
The show was also broadcast on other sites, such as Rumble. But it was not streamed on X due to licensing restrictions.
White House shares video of TPUSA halftime show, and Hegseth says he tuned in
Monday 9 February 2026 01:58 , Brendan RasciusThe White House has reposted a video of Turning Point USA’s halftime show, which featured Kid Rock and three other country musicians.
A number of other Trump administration officials have expressed support for the performance.
Shortly after the livestream began, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wrote on X: “The Hegseth family is watching.”
Republicans applaud TPUSA's 'All-American' halftime show
Monday 9 February 2026 02:30 , Brendan RasciusA number of Republican lawmakers praised Turning Point USA’s “All-American” halftime show — which garnered some four million views on YouTube.
“GOD BLESS AMERICA!” Rep. Brian Mast of Florida wrote on X. “Thank you @TPUSA for the best half-time show ever!”
Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona reposted footage of the show — which was staged in protest of Bad Bunny’s official halftime performance at Levi’s Stadium. He wrote: “Americans have had enough of woke garbage pushed by the Left. We’re celebrating what makes America great.”
Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia added that “the real halftime show isn’t at Levi’s Stadium.”
🚨 OVER 5 MILLION PEOPLE are currently watching TPUSA’s halftime show.
— Congressman William Timmons (@RepTimmons) February 9, 2026
Patriots are taking the culture back in real time. 🔥🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/LpqyHXHxPI
IN PHOTOS: See performers take the stage at Turning Point USA's halftime show
Monday 9 February 2026 02:55 , Brendan RasciusThe show, which was streamed online on Sunday evening, featured performances from Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Gabby Barrett and Lee Brice.
Social media users pan TPUSA’s halftime show as ‘small and unimpressive’
Monday 9 February 2026 03:13 , Brendan RasciusA number of social media users panned Turning Point USA’s Super Bowl halftime show, with some describing it as wholly unremarkable.
The performance — headlined by Kid Rock and streamed live on YouTube — was staged in opposition to the official halftime show at Levi’s Stadium by Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny. It garnered upwards of four million views.
One X user derided it as “small and unimpressive,” while another went further, calling it “a complete disaster.”
Others questioned the artistic choices made during the 30-minute production.
“5 million people protesting the super bowl halftime show just to watch turning point usa bring out mfs playing the violin,” wrote one X user, referencing the moment a violin was played while Kid Rock was on stage.
Another social media user questioned whether Kid Rock was lip-syncing.
“If TPUSA was smart they should’ve just gotten Nicki Minaj,” wrote one left-leaning commentator.
However, a number of commenters expressed support for the show.
“The All American Halftime Show Was FAR Better Than The Anti-American Trash The NFL Sponsored,” an X user wrote. Kid Rock And Others Crushed It. We are Charlie Now.”
Pollster says TPUSA halftime show drew 'significant' number of viewers
Monday 9 February 2026 04:45 , Brendan RasciusFrank Luntz, a veteran political consultant and pollster, said that Turning Point USA’s halftime show drew a sizable number of viewers.
“More than 5 million people tuned into the YouTube live stream for @TPUSA’s All-American Halftime Show,” Luntz wrote on X on Sunday evening. “Regardless of how you feel about politics or music, that’s a significant number for a YouTube event.”
TPUSA's halftime show hits 6.1 million viewers
Monday 9 February 2026 05:35 , Shahana YasminStreamed opposite Bad Bunny’s official Super Bowl LX halftime performance, Turning Point USA’s “All-American Halftime Show” drew as many as 6.1 million concurrent viewers on its YouTube livestream Sunday, according to The New York Times.
The show was meant to be streamed on X as well, but last-minute “licensing restrictions” forced organisers to pull the feed from the social media platform.
ICYMI: Turning Point USA kicks off "All American Halftime Show"
Monday 9 February 2026 07:15 , Shahana YasminTrump criticizes Bad Bunny halftime show, makes no mention of TPUSA event
Monday 9 February 2026 07:45 , Shahana YasminDonald Trump publicly criticized Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime performance Sunday night, calling it “absolutely terrible” in a post on Truth Social and questioning its entertainment value.
“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence,” Trump said on Truth Social approximately 30 minutes after the performance ended.
Trump has said nothing about Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show, which was launched in protest against the NFL’s picks.
Kid Rock faces questions over apparent lip-syncing at TPUSA show
Monday 9 February 2026 08:00 , Shahana YasminKid Rock’s headline set at Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show prompted discussion on X during and after the livestream, with users sharing clips that they said appeared to show portions of the performance being lip-synced.
Several posts pointed to moments in which the vocals continued at full volume as Rock briefly moved the microphone away from his mouth, fuelling speculation that parts of the set relied on backing tracks or pre-recorded audio.
“I am in tears at how badly Kid Rock is lip syncing,” wrote one user on X, formerly Twitter.
I am in tears at how badly Kid Rock is lip syncing. 🤭
— Fantoman79 (@fantoman79) February 9, 2026
It really is perfect though. A perfect representation of how inept MAGA actually are. https://t.co/DP01EMHq3R pic.twitter.com/dwrQRNO3a4
“Kid Rock, bro, I'm embarrassed for you. This was a great opportunity for you. Worst lip syncing I've ever seen and I remember Milli Vanilli,” wrote another, referring to the pop duo who were stripped of their Grammy in 1990 after the revelation that they had not sung on their recordings.
Kid Rock, bro, I'm embarrassed for you. This was a great opportunity for you. Worst lip syncing I've ever seen and I remember Milli Vanilli.
— ℭ𝔥𝔲𝔠𝔨 ℭ𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔬𝔩𝔩 (@CCarroll111) February 9, 2026
Kid Rock’s lip syncing is even more egregious than Ashlee Simpson and Millie Vanilli pic.twitter.com/Yiz3RrxQ1j
— Geoff Coffelt (@Skate_a_book) February 9, 2026
ICYMI: Bad Bunny calls for unity in 2026 Super Bowl Halftime show
Monday 9 February 2026 08:30 , Shahana YasminDemocrats poke fun at Trump's halftime response
Monday 9 February 2026 09:00 , Jacob StolworthyDemocrats poked fun at President Donald Trump’s post about the Super Bowl halftime show, noting that he appeared to watch Bad Bunny’s performance rather than Kid Rock’s gig at TPUSA’s alternate halftime show.
The Democratic Party’s official X account shared Trump’s post, writing, “Guess he wasn’t watching Kid Rock then.”
Footage from inside Trump’s golf club Super Bowl party reveals the Bad Bunny half time show played on the big screens.
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) February 9, 2026
What a bunch of hypocrites. pic.twitter.com/hF5scOGYek
How many people watched Turning Point USA's alternative show?
Monday 9 February 2026 09:30 , Jacob StolworthyTurning Point USA’s “All-American” Super Bowl show might have been held for “underserved” Americans – but the majority opted to watch Bad Bunny’s half-time performance instead.
Kid Rock mocked for 'miming'
Monday 9 February 2026 10:00 , Jacob StolworthyKid Rock was caught lip-synching during his Turning Point USA half-time show, held in protest against Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance.
Kid Rock mocked for ‘miming’ Turning Point USA Super Bowl halftime performance
Candace Owens says she wasn't impressed by either halftime show
Monday 9 February 2026 10:30 , Jacob StolworthyConservative podcast host Candace Owens said she wasn’t impressed by either Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance or Turning Point USA’s alternate show featuring Kid Rock.
“I am sorry but I hate both options,” Owens wrote on X to her 7.5 million followers.
“On The one hand, we have a half-time show presented without a word of English spoken,” she wrote. “On the other hand we have an organization that scammed its views by paying platform advertisers, followed by influencers to pretend they broke records.”
“The left vs. right grift is actually boring now,” Owens continued. “What exactly are we doing here, America?”
Country singer Brantley Gilbert defends decision to perform at Turning Point USA’s controversial halftime show
Monday 9 February 2026 11:09 , Jacob StolworthyCountry singer Brantley Gilbert defends decision to perform at Turning Point USA’s controversial halftime show
Brantley Gilbert cited his love for America as a reason why he’s performing at Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show, which was organized in protest of the NFL’s 2026 Super Bowl music acts.
“I’m a songwriter who grew up, and still lives in Jackson County, Georgia, whose goal in the music business was to sell out the local theater a few miles from my house and somehow make my living writing songs,” he said. “I’m a recovering addict with the history of all the bad choices that come with it. I’m not proud of those choices, but I am proud of the choice I’ve made to live in another direction.”
Pete Hegseth salutes TPUSA and says ‘freedom is still worth the fight’
Monday 9 February 2026 11:30 , Jacob StolworthyUS defense secretary Pete Hegseth made a pre-recorded video appearance on the YouTube livestream of Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show before the concert began, offering a message to the group and its supporters.
“From the War Department, we salute Turning Point USA and everyone who believes freedom is still worth the fight,” Hegseth said in the video.
“Thank you for your courage as an organization, your clarity and leadership, and for this halftime show the war department is proud to support.”
‘Nobodies and has-beens:’ Social media users criticize alternate halftime show headlined by Kid Rock
Monday 9 February 2026 12:00 , Jacob StolworthySocial media has been abuzz with criticism over TPUSA’s alternate Super Bowl halftime show – which is being staged in opposition to the Levi’s Stadium show headlined by Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny.
The event, which will be streamed live, will feature Kid Rock and three country musicians.
“In other words, 4 nobodies and hasbeens,” one X user wrote. “Kid rock? LOL. Last decent song was 15 years ago.”
“Funny that they could only get washed-up artists to perform,” another user wrote, while another derisively labeled the event “Klanchella.”
Still, others voiced their support for the TPUSA show.
“I am looking forward to Kid Rock who believes in borders and performs in English,” wrote one user.
Where was the gig held?
Monday 9 February 2026 12:48 , Jacob StolworthyMystery surrounds the location of the Turning Point USA ”All-American” halftime show – but the event was held at the University of North Dakota, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.
Megyn Kelly was 'in tears' over Kid Rock's halftime show
Monday 9 February 2026 13:15 , Jacob StolworthyRight-wing podcaster Megyn Kelly said she was “in tears” over Turning Point USA’s Super Bowl halftime show, which was headlined by Kid Rock.
“Congratulations @TPUSA, I am in tears at that BEAUTIFUL half time show,” the host of The Megyn Kelly Show wrote on X on Sunday evening. “Everyone did a spectacular job - it was perfect. THANK YOU!”
Turning Point will host another Super Bowl show
Monday 9 February 2026 13:30 , Jacob StolworthySpokesperson Andrew Kolvet has said Turning Point USA will host another Super Bowl halftime show.
"You know, because of the success, it's blown our minds,” Kolvet told Fox News. “So we are going to commit to doing this again next year. We're going to do another halftime show for the country next year.”
Turning Point USA overall streams below expectations
Monday 9 February 2026 14:00 , Jacob StolworthySpokesperson Andrew Kolvet told Fox News he thought the show could be streamed up to 50 million times in 24 hours.
At the time of writing, 13 hours later, the gig has been streamed a total of 19 million times, well below his expectations.
Kid Rock 'MAGA-fest' country music festival gets canceled in South Carolina
Monday 9 February 2026 14:15 , Jacob StolworthyKid Rock’s performance at Turning Point USA’s halftime show arrived a day after his country music festival’s stop in South Carolina was unexpectedly canceled.
Rock the Country, Kid Rock’s country music festival that critics have labeled a “MAGA fest,” saw a string of artists drop out on Saturday.
Read more here:
Kid Rock’s MAGA-friendly country music festival canceled in South Carolina
Turning Point USA gig was blocked from X
Monday 9 February 2026 14:45 , Jacob StolworthyShortly before the gig began, Turning Point USA received with some unexpected news: it would not be permitted to be streamed live on X due to licensing restrictions.
Instead, the conservative group urged viewers to head over to its YouTube channel to watch the performance.
How many people watched Turning Point USA's halftime show?
Monday 9 February 2026 14:54 , Katie HawkinsonTurning Point USA’s alternative halftime show earned 6.1 million concurrent viewers on its YouTube channel, according to The Athletic.
While the Super Bowl’s viewership numbers aren’t confirmed yet, Bad Bunny’s official halftime concert likely drew a much larger audience, The Athletic reports. Last year, Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show earned 133.5 million views.
Republican lawmakers share photos from Trump's Super Bowl watch party
Monday 9 February 2026 15:15 , Katie HawkinsonRepublican Senators Lindsey Graham and Eric Schmitt both shared photos from President Donald Trump’s Super Bowl watch party at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Graham posted a photo of himself giving a thumbs-up next to Trump.
“Enjoying Super Bowl LX with President Trump and team. @POTUS is Reagan Plus — A man of his word,” Graham wrote.
Schmitt also shared a photo of himself sitting at a table with Trump, captioning it, “Super Bowl party.”
Bad Bunny's halftime show played at Trump's Super Bowl watch party, social media video shows
Monday 9 February 2026 15:31 , Katie HawkinsonDespite President Donald Trump slamming Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show on Truth Social as "one of the worst, EVER!" - it appeared to be playing on the big screen at his Mar-a-Lago watch party - and not the MAGA-approved Turning Point USA performance.
Video shared by the X account PatriotTakes appears to show Trump, Senator Lindsey Graham and others sitting at a table as Bad Bunny’s performance plays in the background — rather than Turning Point USA’s alternative halftime concert, which featured Kid Rock and other country artists.
Trump labeled Bad Bunny's performance “an affront to the Greatness of America” in a Truth Social post shared Sunday night. His post did not mention Turning Point USA's halftime show.
When reached for comment, the White House referred The Independent to Trump’s Truth Social post bashing Bad Bunny’s performance.
Country music icon Kacey Musgraves mocks Kid Rock
Monday 9 February 2026 15:40 , Katie HawkinsonCountry music star Kacey Musgraves mocked Kid Rock on social media Sunday night, appearing to show her support for Bad Bunny’s official Super Bowl halftime concert.
“Well. That made me feel more proudly American than anything Kid Rock has ever done,” Musgraves wrote on X, shortly after the halftime performance ended
Jake Paul backtracks on Bad Bunny criticism after brother Logan hits out
Monday 9 February 2026 15:50 , Ellie MuirJake Paul has backtracked on his claim that Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny is a “fake American citizen” after his brother Logan publicly called him out.
During the musician’s history-making Super Bowl halftime show, Paul — who relocated to Puerto Rico in 2021 — said on X that he was boycotting the performance because there was a “fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America.”
The YouTuber turned professional boxer, who is a vocal Trump supporter, was forced to clarify his comments when his older brother, Logan, 30, responded to the tweet saying: “I love my brother but I don’t agree with this.”
Keep reading:
Jake Paul backtracks on Bad Bunny criticism after brother Logan hits out
Trump flexes global muscles after Bad Bunny’s one-Americas halftime show with map threatening US expansion
Monday 9 February 2026 16:10 , Craig HoylePresident Donald Trump responded to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl message of American unity with a stark reminder of his expansionist ambitions.
Keep reading:
Trump flexes global muscles after rant over Bad Bunny’s one-Americas halftime show
Meghan McCain praises Bad Bunny
Monday 9 February 2026 16:35 , Katie HawkinsonMeghan McCain, a former host on “The View” and the daughter of late Senator John McCain, praised Bad Bunny’s halftime show on social media.
“I’m sorry but I just genuinely question your taste level if you didn’t enjoy the Bad Bunny halftime show. And everything in life doesn’t have to be ruined with politics,” she wrote on X.
Obama Foundation wishes football fans a 'great Benito Bowl'
Monday 9 February 2026 16:43 , Katie HawkinsonThe Obama Foundation showed its support for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance in a social media post shared Sunday.
“From one natural-born US citizen to another, have a great Benito Bowl!” the foundation wrote on X.
Many on social media referred to this year’s game as the “Benito Bowl,” a reference to Bad Bunny’s full name, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio.
The Obama Foundation’s post also included clips of the former president and first lady dancing as Bad Bunny songs play in the background.
Kid Rock releases new cover after TPUSA halftime show
Monday 9 February 2026 16:51 , Katie HawkinsonKid Rock, the rock artist who headlined Turning Point USA’s alternative halftime show, said he’s releasing a new cover of Cody Johnson’s hit song, “Til Ya Can’t,” after performing it Sunday night.
“If you enjoyed our version of ‘Til Ya Can’t’ on The TPUSA All American Halftime - Our studio recording of it will be available to purchase or stream at midnight tonight,” he wrote on X.
Turning Point USA's halftime show live chat was flooded with bunny emojis: report
Monday 9 February 2026 17:03 , Katie HawkinsonThe YouTube chat box on Turning Point USA’s halftime show livestream was flooded with bunny emojis Sunday night as users voiced their support for the official halftime headliner, Variety reports.
While Bad Bunny and other surprise guests, including Lady Gaga, performed at the official Super Bowl halftime show, Kid Rock headlined Turning Point USA’s alternate event.
The alternative halftime show garnered 6.1 million concurrent viewers on YouTube, according to The Athletic.
Kid Rock mocked for ‘miming’ Turning Point USA Super Bowl halftime performance
Monday 9 February 2026 17:15 , Jacob StolworthyKid Rock appeared to be caught lip-synching during his Turning Point USA halftime show, held in protest against Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance.
Keep reading:
Kid Rock mocked for ‘miming’ Turning Point USA Super Bowl halftime performance
TPUSA halftime show featured tributes to Charlie Kirk
Monday 9 February 2026 17:30 , Katie HawkinsonTurning Point USA’s alternative halftime show featured tributes to the organization’s founder, Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, a conservative activist, was assassinated on September 10, 2025, while speaking on Utah Valley University’s campus.
“This one’s for you, Charlie,” the show’s host said as he introduced the performance
Country artist Lee Brice, who joined Kid Rock and other artists at the event, also paid tribute to Kirk.
“Charlie, you gave people microphones so they could say what was on their minds,” he said.
As Kid Rock played his final song, photos of the slain conservative activist appeared in the background alongside the words: “In remembrance of Charlie Kirk.”
Speaker Mike Johnson calls Kid Rock performance one of 'best moments in broadcast so far this year'
Monday 9 February 2026 17:40 , Katie HawkinsonKid Rock’s alternative halftime show performance was one of the “best moments in broadcast so far this year,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said.
He also singled out Jelly Roll’s appearance at the Grammy Awards last week.
“The best moments in broadcast so far this year? Jelly Roll at the Grammys & Kid Rock at the @TPUSA’s All-American Halftime Show,” Johnson wrote on X.
What is Turning Point USA?
Monday 9 February 2026 18:00 , Katie HawkinsonTurning Point USA is a youth conservative activist organization founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last year while speaking on a Utah college campus.
Turning Point USA says its mission is to “identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.”
The organization announced its alternative halftime show in October, shortly after the NFL named Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl halftime show headliner.
Bad Bunny erases Instagram posts – and sparks fan speculation after Super Bowl backlash
Monday 9 February 2026 18:15 , Carsen HoladaySpeculation is running rampant over Bad Bunny’s next move after the rapper wiped his entire Instagram page.
Hours after his historic Super Bowl halftime show performance, the Puerto Rican rapper removed everything from his Instagram account, including his profile picture, leaving only a link to his latest album in his bio.
The clean slate has left fans wondering if Bad Bunny — real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — might be teasing his next career move, or if the removal is in response to backlash following his game day performance.
Keep reading:
Fans speculate after Bad Bunny deletes all of his Instagram posts
Trump’s Super Bowl watch party showed one halftime performance - it was Bad Bunny
Monday 9 February 2026 18:30 , Owen ScottDonald Trump spent weeks slamming Bad Bunny playing the Super Bowl halftime show - but that didn’t appear stop the president watching it himself in a room full of supporters.
Trump made clear last month that he would not attend the Super Bowl in person, with MAGA supporters urging people to watch Kid Rock’s alternative Turning Point USA show instead.
However, it seems Trump was no different to the millions of other Americans who made sure not to miss the Puerto Rican rapper’s much-discussed performance Sunday.
Trump’s Super Bowl watch party showed one halftime performance - it was Bad Bunny
Turning Point USA wants to host another halftime show next year
Monday 9 February 2026 18:39 , Katie HawkinsonTurning Point USA is planning to host another Super Bowl halftime show in 2027, spokesperson Andrew Kolvet told Fox News.
"So I can tell you, that's a shot across the bow. People are paying attention. And if you give us a year to plan this thing, I'm really excited to see what we can pull off," Kolvet said.
“We gotta do it for the country. And this was a massive success, and we were grateful to do it,” he added.
Country singer Brantley Gilbert defended his decision to appear in TPUSA halftime show
Monday 9 February 2026 18:46 , Katie HawkinsonCountry singer Brantley Gilbert defended his decision to perform at Turning Point USA’s alternative halftime show ahead of the concert Sunday.
“I’m a songwriter who grew up, and still lives in Jackson County, Georgia, whose goal in the music business was to sell out the local theater a few miles from my house and somehow make my living writing songs,” Gilbert said in a statement shared with Fox News.
“I’m a recovering addict with the history of all the bad choices that come with it. I’m not proud of those choices, but I am proud of the choice I’ve made to live in another direction,” he continued.
Gilbert added that he shares his story through music “in hopes that it may help and inspire others in their darkest hour.”
Read the full story below:
Brantley Gilbert defends decision to perform at Turning Point USA’s halftime show
Kid Rock’s MAGA-friendly country music festival canceled in South Carolina after artists drop out
Monday 9 February 2026 19:10 , Tom MurrayRock the Country, Kid Rock’s country music festival that critics have labeled a “MAGA fest,” has been canceled in South Carolina after a string of artists dropped out.
The multi-city festival was scheduled to run for two days per venue in eight U.S. states from May 1 to September 21.
However, its stop in Anderson, South Carolina — which was scheduled for July 25 and 26 — will no longer take place, county administrator Rusty Burns told Fox Carolina.
Kid Rock’s MAGA-friendly country music festival canceled in South Carolina
Watch: Kid Rock accused of lip-synching during Turning Point USA concert
Monday 9 February 2026 19:50 , Katie HawkinsonKid Rock was accused of lip-synching during the Turning Point USA halftime show.
The “All Summer Long” musician, 55, headlined the MAGA-friendly show, which was broadcast on YouTube at the same time Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny performed a star-studded set at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara alongside musicians Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin and Cardi B.
Watch the clip below:
Charlie Kirk's widow says he 'would’ve absolutely loved' TPUSA halftime show
Monday 9 February 2026 20:12 , Katie HawkinsonErika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, said he “would’ve absolutely loved” Turning Point USA’s alternative halftime show.
“The @TPUSA All-American Halftime Show was so incredible. Charlie would’ve absolutely loved it. Thank you to the millions that tuned in. I’m so proud of our entire team, staff, and the artists who believed in the vision and mission,” she wrote on X.
“It’s okay to love Jesus and your country. Ultimately, this is what it’s all about, making Heaven crowded. …I love you Charlie baby, this is all for you,” she added.
Charlie Kirk was assassinated on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University. He founded Turning Point USA in 2012.
Turning Point to bring back rival Super Bowl halftime show next year — despite drawing a fraction of Bad Bunny’s viewers
Monday 9 February 2026 20:32 , Ariana BaioTurning Point USA, the conservative nonprofit founded by Charlie Kirk, said it would continue offering an ideologically aligned alternative to the Super Bowl halftime show next year, citing Sunday’s success.
In protest of Bad Bunny’s halftime performance, Turning Point organized its own “All-American” concert featuring known conservative musicians such as Kid Rock. It aired simultaneously with the NFL’s halftime show for people who were angry about the Puerto Rican musician performing in Spanish.
Hours after it aired, Andrew Kolvet, the spokesperson for Turning Point, told Fox News that the alternative halftime show was so successful, “We are going to commit to doing this again, next year.”
Keep reading:
Turning Point will repeat its Super Bowl halftime show rival event next year
What has Trump said about the Super Bowl?
Monday 9 February 2026 20:47 , Katie HawkinsonWhile President Donald Trump has commented on this year’s Super Bowl, he has remained silent on Turning Point USA’s alternative halftime show.
In a statement released by the White House before the game, the president and First Lady Melania Trump wished the teams luck.
“May tonight’s game reflect the best of football and the enduring triumph of the American spirit—and may the best team win,” the statement reads.
Trump also shared a brief message on Truth Social ahead of the game: “Enjoy the Super Bowl, America! Our Country is stronger, bigger, and better than ever before and, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”
Trump went on to slam Bad Bunny’s official halftime performance — but made no mention of the performances by Kid Rock and other country artists at Turning Point USA’s event.
“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Piers Morgan endorses Bad Bunny's halftime show
Monday 9 February 2026 20:56 , Katie HawkinsonConservative media personality Piers Morgan said he “absolutely loved” Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show after President Donald Trump called the performance “one of the worst, EVER!”
“Couldn’t disagree more, Mr President. I absolutely loved Bad Bunny’s halftime show. Amazing (best in Super Bowl history?) theatre/choreography, great energy, superbly confident performance, and a very welcome unifying message,” Morgan wrote on X.
He added: “Oh, and Spanish is 1st language for 50m+ Americans!”
Thousands of Bad Bunny-themed anti-ICE towels were handed out at Super Bowl, report says
Monday 9 February 2026 21:15 , Isabel KeaneMore than 25,000 Super Bowl attendees went home with a special piece of merch — a rally towel featuring a bunny punting a frozen football with the message “ICE OUT,” according to reports.
Keep reading:
Thousands of Bad Bunny-themed anti-ICE towels were handed out at Super Bowl: report
Trump flexes global muscles after Bad Bunny’s one-Americas halftime show with map threatening US expansion
Monday 9 February 2026 21:40 , Craig HoylePresident Donald Trump responded to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl message of American unity with a stark reminder of his expansionist ambitions.
Read more:
Trump flexes global muscles after rant over Bad Bunny’s one-Americas halftime show
How many people watched the Super Bowl halftime show last year?
Monday 9 February 2026 21:47 , Katie HawkinsonLast year, Kendrick Lamar made history as the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show performer, with 133.5 million viewers.
While official viewership numbers for this year’s Super Bowl have yet to be released, it’s expected to be upwards of 100 million. The last four Super Bowls were watched by more than 100 million people, according to Nielsen Holdings.
From grocery store bagger to a Super Bowl stage MAGA can’t silence: The meteoric rise of Bad Bunny
Monday 9 February 2026 22:12 , Katie HawkinsonAs recently as 2016, Bad Bunny — born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — was working as a grocery store bagger in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, uploading tracks to SoundCloud between shifts.
Today, the Puerto Rican star has made himself simply inescapable.
Kevin E G Perry details Bad Bunny’s meteoric rise to fame — and MAGA’s reaction to his historic Super Bowl performance:
Country music icon Kacey Musgraves mocks Kid Rock
Monday 9 February 2026 22:30 , Katie HawkinsonCountry music star Kacey Musgraves mocked Kid Rock on social media Sunday night, appearing to show her support for Bad Bunny’s official Super Bowl halftime concert.
“Well. That made me feel more proudly American than anything Kid Rock has ever done,” Musgraves wrote on X, shortly after the halftime performance ended.
Republican lawmakers praise Turning Point USA's 'All-American' halftime show
Monday 9 February 2026 22:55 , Katie HawkinsonSeveral Republican lawmakers praised Turning Point USA’s “All-American” halftime show, which garnered about 6.1 million concurrent viewers on YouTube Sunday night.
“GOD BLESS AMERICA!” Rep. Brian Mast of Florida wrote on X. “Thank you @TPUSA for the best half-time show ever!”
Rep. Eli Crane of Arizona reposted footage of the show, writing, “Thank you, @TPUSA. This is how it’s done @NFL.”
Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia also showed his support for the show, posting on X: “The real halftime show isn’t at Levi’s Stadium.”
Bad Bunny may have trounced Kid Rock in Super Bowl halftime showdown if historic trends hold
Monday 9 February 2026 23:15 , Katie HawkinsonSunday’s Super Bowl viewership numbers likely won’t be released until Tuesday — but most years, the game attracts more than 100 million viewers.
Here’s what to know:
Bad Bunny may have trounced Kid Rock in Super Bowl halftime showdown if historic trends hold
Green Day pulled MAGA-related lyrics from Super Bowl performance
Monday 9 February 2026 23:40 , Josh MarcusMuch of the discussion in MAGA-world about the Super Bowl has centered around Bad Bunny’s halftime performance, but there was another minor MAGA-related moment during the big game.
Punk band Green Day also performed at the Super Bowl, and they skipped over a verse in their 2004 hit “American Idiot” that the band has since tweaked to feature the line, “I'm not a part of the MAGA agenda,” Pitchfork notes.
However, the band registered their thoughts on the Trump administration elsewhere during Super Bowl weekend, urging ICE agents to quit their jobs during a pre-game concert.
Green Day warns ICE that Trump will drop them ‘like a bad habit’
'He makes you look small': AOC rails against Jake Paul over Bad Bunny comments
00:05 , Josh MarcusRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slammed content creator Jake Paul for calling Super Bowl performer Bad Bunny a “fake American citizen.”
“A ‘fake American citizen?’ Didn’t you MOVE to Puerto Rico to avoid paying your taxes while kids across America go hungry?” the New York Democrat, who is of Puerto Rican heritage, wrote on X on Monday. “Meanwhile Benito actually funds low income kids’ access to arts and sports programs, while you defund them. Of course you’re mad. He makes you look small.”
Paul has since walked back his comments, claiming he only meant to criticize Bad Bunny’s attacks on the Trump administration agenda.
“To clarify: I wasn’t calling anyone a ‘fake citizen’ because they’re from Puerto Rico. I live in Puerto Rico, and I love Puerto Rico. I have used my platform to support Puerto Rico time and time again and will always do so,” he wrote on X.
Ellie Muir has the details.
Jake Paul backtracks on Bad Bunny criticism after brother Logan hits out
MAGA might not have liked the Bad Bunny Super Bowl show, but the NFL commissioner sure did
00:25 , Josh MarcusBad Bunny’s selection as Super Bowl halftime performer has set off waves of criticism in conservative circles, including from the White House, but the man running the show seems to have enjoyed it.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was seen sharing an enthusiastic embrace with the Puerto Rican singer after the performance.
Commish 🤝 Benito#AppleMusicHalftime @sanbenito pic.twitter.com/DetIOgJrDa
— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2026
Congressman calls for investigation into NFL and NBC over Bad Bunny show
01:00 , Josh Marcus
A Republican representative is demanding a congressional investigation into NBC and the NFL over the content of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show.
In a letter to the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Andy Ogles, a Tennessee Republicans, argued the show might violate “federal broadcast indecency standards” and public interest requirements because it featured sexually suggestive content.
The letter called out the show’s “choreography featuring overtly sexualized movements including widespread twerking, grinding, pelvic thrusts, and other sexually suggestive conduct,” as well as as the “sexual content” in the Puerto Rican singer’s Spanish lyrics.
“American culture will not be mocked or corrupted without consequence,” Ogles wrote in a post on X announcing the request.
Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, and the island helped pioneer the reggaeton and salsa genres featured in Bad Bunny’s set.
Kid Rock celebrates charting above Bad Bunny after Super Bowl head-to-head
01:17 , Josh MarcusKid Rock’s ‘‘Til You Can’t” was charting at number one on the iTunes store Monday evening, beating out Bad Bunny’s “DtMF” which was at number three.
Kid Rock celebrated the stat with a post on X, saying he “can’t miss out on the fun” of noting he one-upped his rival Super Bowl performer.
I could care less about the charts but I can’t miss out on the fun of posting this! Thank you!! God Is Good. PS: I will be on Fox News @IngrahamAngle tonight. pic.twitter.com/DL5HDCBLzq
— KidRock (@KidRock) February 9, 2026
“I could care less about the charts but I can’t miss out on the fun of posting this!” Kid Rock wrote on X. “Thank you!! God Is Good.”
The rocker played the tune, a reworked Cody Johnson song, during his set at the Turning Point USA alternative halftime show run against the main Super Bowl broadcast.
Laura Ingraham claims Bad Bunny halftime show 'didn't represent America at all'
01:26 , Josh Marcus
Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham is the latest conservative to rail against Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show.
During a Monday broadcast, Ingraham claimed the performance, which ended with an appeal to pan-American unity and a listing of the countries of the Caribbean and North and South America, “didn’t represent America at all.”
“The Super Bowl halftime show is no longer a unifying entertainment, but it’s a lecture with a wandering series of subtexts, both political and sexual, and most of America just hates it,” Ingraham claimed.
She also criticized the show for its “gross sexualized dancing” and claimed the NFL was “so worried about being woke that it forgot its audience.”
Bad Bunny is from Puerto Rico, which is a U.S. territory, and his music incorporates elements of reggaeton and salsa alongside hip-hop and trap, all genres that have a long history in American culture.
Kid Rock denies lip-syncing allegations and claims Bad Bunny performance was 'middle finger' to MAGA
01:39 , Josh Marcus
Kid Rock criticized the NFL for choosing Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl halftime performer, claiming the decision was a “middle finger” to conservatives.
“To me it was kinda just like another middle finger to conservatives, to the MAGA crowd, to my base, to everything,” he told Laura Ingraham on Fox News on Monday night.
Bad Bunny has previously criticized the Trump administration for its immigration crackdown.
Kid Rock added that “like most people, I didn’t understand any of it” of the performance from the Puerto Rican singer, whose songs are in Spanish.
Elsewhere in the interview, Kid Rock denied allegations he was lip-syncing during the Turning Point USA alternative halftime show, blaming audio issues on a technically difficult audio set-up and his own antics, including “jumping around stage like a rabid monkey.
The rap-rocker also claimed rapper and media mogul Jay-Z, who produces the Super Bowl halftime show, was brought into the NFL as “a little bit of a DEI hire.”
Kid Rock accused of lip-syncing at Turning Point USA halftime show
Video shows Trump watching Bad Bunny halftime show: report
02:00 , Josh MarcusAn anti-Trump Republican group shared footage on X claiming to show President Trump watching Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show.
In the clip, posted by the group Republicans Against Trump on X, the president appears to speak with former administration official Lindsey Halligan as Bad Bunny’s performance plays in the background.
Trump watched the Super Bowl from his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
Megyn Kelly rails against Bad Bunny Super Bowl performance because it was 'for the Latinos'
02:30 , Josh MarcusPodcaster and former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly ranted against Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show during a recent segment on Piers Morgan Uncensored, claiming that the Spanish-language songs were a front to America, even though Bad Bunny is from Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory.
“I’m sorry, Piers, but to get up there and perform the whole show in Spanish is a middle finger to the rest of America!” Kelly told Piers Morgan.
“Who gives a damn that we have 40 million Spanish speakers? We have 310 million who don’t speak a lick of Spanish! This is supposed to be a unifying event for the country. Not for the Latinos,” she added. “Not for one small group but for the country. We don’t need a Black National Anthem, We don’t need a Spanish-speaking, non-English-performing performer, and we don’t need an ICE or America hater featured as our half time entertainment!”
Bad Bunny has previously criticized the Trump administration’s immigration agenda, though his Super Bowl show had a message of regional unity and featured the singer listing all the countries of North and South America.
Morgan pushed back on Kelly, noting that the U.S. doesn’t have a national language and saying he saw nothing wrong with the show.
Morgan’s skepticism eventually prompted Kelly to claim Hispanics were trying to take over American culture.
“This attitude that we have right here is why you in Great Britain have lost your culture!” she said. “You ceded your culture to a bunch of radical Muslims who came in and took over, and now it’s gone. We’re not allowing that here! Whether it’s Hispanic, whether it’s Muslim — it’s not happening in the United States of America. That’s why President Trump was elected.””
Turning Point claims Super Bowl fans were 'pretending to like Spanish'
03:00 , Josh Marcus“Woke” audience members were “pretending to like Spanish” and support Bad Bunny to “own MAGA,” according to Turning Point Action, a political group associated with Turning Point USA, which hosted its own “All-American” halftime show to rival the one during the big game.
“All American Halftime enjoyers are marked safe from this tragedy,” the group wrote on X, alongside a seemingly unrelated video of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry trying a plate of Somali food and giving a thumbs up.
Signing off
03:08 , Josh MarcusThis concludes our live coverage of Turning Point USA’s Super Bowl halftime show.
Thank you for reading and stay tuned with The Independent for the latest news and analysis.
ICYMI: Turning Point to bring back rival Super Bowl halftime show next year — despite drawing a fraction of Bad Bunny’s viewers
03:30 , Josh MarcusTurning Point USA, the conservative nonprofit founded by Charlie Kirk, said it would continue offering an ideologically aligned alternative to the Super Bowl halftime show next year, citing Sunday’s success.
In protest of Bad Bunny’s halftime performance, Turning Point organized its own “All-American” concert featuring known conservative musicians such as Kid Rock. It aired simultaneously with the NFL’s halftime show for people who were angry about the Puerto Rican musician performing in Spanish.
Hours after it aired, Andrew Kolvet, the spokesperson for Turning Point, told Fox News that the alternative halftime show was so successful, “We are going to commit to doing this again, next year.”
Kolvet said, as of Sunday evening, the event had “20 million viewers” across social media platforms alone and hypothesized the number could reach as many as 50 million within the day.
Ariana Baio has the details.
Turning Point will repeat its Super Bowl halftime show rival event next year
