During the 2026 Super Bowl, Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative politics in high school and college campuses, performed their own halftime show.
The show included performers: Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Gabby Barrett, and Lee Brice, which attracted roughly six million live viewers, but nearly 20 million on YouTube. This viewership was much less compared to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance which amassed 135 million viewers.
It featured many patriotic symbols like flags, eagles, and fireworks, with the performances staying in the country and rock genre.
They called it the “All-American halftime show” and explained it as an alternative option that celebrates American culture, freedom, and faith, providing it as a non-liberal, conservative and family-friendly alternative.
This sparked a heated debate as many people argued they did not put on the halftime show because of their American beliefs. Some believed it was to make a point as to what types of groups get represented in majorly televised events..
In an interview with the Grand Pinnacle Tribune, Kid Rock said he “plans to play great songs for folks who love America.”
Conservatives argued though that choosing Bad Bunny as the halftime show performer was a clear dig at conservatives and MAGA.
Bad Bunny was chosen by the NFL so that they could reach a global audience as he is a Puerto Rican rapper and his songs are almost entirely in Spanish. His Spanish-only performance was seen as “un-American,” as well as his very open criticism of political views against Donald Trump, offending many conservatives.
Turning Point USA also dedicated the patriotic performance to their founder, Charlie Kirk, who passed away last year, as the show started and closed with a tribute to him.
The introduction to the show had a performer singing “for you, Charlie,” and at the end, a video was made to pay tribute to him, showing his picture and the bible verse Isaiah 6:8, “Here am I, send me.” This shoutout had a symbolic meaning as Kirk’s mission was to encourage young conservatives to speak up and promote ideas they believe in, which was what Turning Point did, by streaming their own halftime show.
Some praised the event while others criticized it, but regardless, it drew millions of viewers and sparked conversation about entertainment, politics, and culture.
Anonymous • Feb 16, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Reminder to TPUSA that Puerto Rico is an American territory. I personally really liked the halftime show, but it makes me mad that people made it about politics. Make entertainment fun again and have the one show during LXI in LA.