Details have finally emerged on the alternative to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show — and the show is already sparking some controversy online.
Turning Point USA had announced it would hold its own halftime show, responding to criticism when Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny was announced as the official Super Bowl show. The organization released its lineup on Monday, including some digs at Bad Bunny and garnering some pushback.
Kid Rock Takes Shot at Bad Bunny in Super Bowl Announcement
As USA Today’s Anna Kaufman reported, the “All-American Halftime Show” lineup was announced.
“The show, put on by the conservative organization to compete with Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance, will feature performances by Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert and Lee Brice. Gabby Barrett, 2021 winner of new female artist of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards, will also perform,” the report noted.
The official announcement included a quote from Kid Rock noting that his show is a decided underdog compared to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show.
“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?” Kid Rock said.
The artist added a dig at Bad Bunny.
“He’s said he’s having a dance party, wearing a dress, and singing in Spanish? Cool. We plan to play great songs for folks who love America,” Kid Rock noted.
Bad Bunny Alternative Halftime Show Faces Criticism
The official announcement led to some immediate backlash, with many taking aim at the lack of star power in the lineup.
“Funny that they could only get washed-up artists to perform,” one person wrote on X in response to the lineup announcement.
“Yikes. I’d rather throw my silverware into my garbage disposal and listen to that,” another wrote on X.
Many others took issue with the insinuation that it was an “All-American” alternative to Bad Bunny, who is Puerto Rican and by extension an American citizen.
USA Today’s Kaufman pointed out that the Turning Point halftime show arose due in large part to the backlash of Bad Bunny’s selection, giving it an inherent tone of opposition to him.
“Bad Bunny, a Latin superstar who hails from Puerto Rico, sings primarily in Spanish and has been critical of Trump’s deportation efforts in the past,” Kaufman wrote. “When he was announced as the Super Bowl’s lead performer, several conservative pundits, and Trump himself, criticized the choice, alleging he wasn’t a popular enough artist and that he was a divisive pick. Bad Bunny was Spotify’s most-streamed artist globally in 2025.”
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