Even music has become a team sport, so much so that Turning Point USA has announced that it will host its own Super Bowl halftime show in protest of Bad Bunny, the NFL’s official headliner.
The right-wing group, founded by the late Charlie Kirk, posted on social media about the “All American Halftime Show,” writing that “performers and event details will be announced soon.” The post includes a link to a survey where you can select the genre of music you’d like to see featured at the big game, including “Anything in English,” “Americana,” and “Worship.” (The list also includes “hip-hop,” even though Kirk once suggested people “stop listening to rap music and all this decadent hip-hop stuff.”)
It’s unclear where or how Turning Point’s behind-the-scenes programming will air, but the website says viewers will have to tune out of the Super Bowl and switch to the All-American Halftime Show, which celebrates “faith, family and freedom.”
The announcement that Bad Bunny, one of the world’s most famous music stars, would perform at the 2026 Super Bowl sparked an immediate right-wing backlash. Government officials have begun reviewing the Puerto Rican artist’s Spanish-language music catalog and recent comments about his absence from the United States on his last tour due to fears of fans encountering ICE agents.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said there will be a “full-scale” presence of immigration enforcement agents for the Super Bowl. Because, in her opinion, only “law-abiding Americans who love this country” should be at the game. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said it was a “terrible decision” to hire Bad Bunny, suggesting that Lee Greenwood would attract a “broader audience” compared to 1980s country icon Bad Bunny’s 80 million Spotify listeners, compared to 1980s country icon Bad Bunny’s 500,000 Spotify listeners. Even Donald Trump called Bad Bunny’s selection “absolutely ridiculous,” despite admitting he had “never heard of him.” The hosts of “The Charlie Kirk Show” also criticized Bad Bunny on a recent episode of the conservative talk show, which continued after Kirk’s death. (After Kirk was assassinated in September during a debate with university students in Utah, Kirk’s widow, Erica Kirk, became CEO of Turning Point USA.)
During a monologue on “Saturday Night Live” on Oct. 4, Bad Bunny mocked conservative critics about the backlash surrounding his Super Bowl performance. He gave heartfelt words in Spanish, thanking fans and recognizing the contributions of Latinos in the United States. He then quipped in English: “If you don’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”
The Super Bowl will be held on February 8, 2026.
