Kid Rock to headline Turning Point USA’s alternative Super Bowl halftime show opposite Bad Bunny

The NFL’s decision to select Bad Bunny as this year’s Super Bowl halftime performer received conservative criticism

Kid Rock is set to headline Turning Point USA’s alternative “All-American” Super Bowl halftime show, the conservative organisation announced on Monday.

Turning Point USA, the group co-founded by right-wing political figure Charlie Kirk, first revealed plans for its own halftime event last autumn after conservative criticism of the NFL’s decision to select Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny as this year’s official Super Bowl halftime performer.

“We’re approaching this show like David and Goliath,” Kid Rock said in a statement about the upcoming performance. “Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible … or is it?”

Bad Bunny, a US citizen, has previously criticised President Donald Trump and has spoken publicly about immigration enforcement, including concerns about ICE raids. He made history at the Grammy Awards by becoming the first artist to win album of the year for a non-English-language release. During an earlier acceptance speech, he said “ICE Out” before adding, “we’re not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans.”

The NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny has been widely viewed as part of a broader strategy to appeal to a global audience. In a recent interview, Oliver Schusser, head of Apple Music, which sponsors the Super Bowl halftime show, praised the decision. “Pick any artist that you would actually put on that stage, and then imagine, will 100 percent of the people be happy with that artist?” he said. “I’m very proud to be working with them on this, and they made a great choice.”

Alongside Kid Rock, the Turning Point USA lineup includes Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett. The show will stream across TPUSA’s social platforms and outlets including Daily Wire+, Real America’s Voice, TBN, CHARGE!, The National News Desk, NTD.com and OAN News.

“The All-American Halftime Show is an opportunity for all Americans to enjoy a halftime show with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family and freedom,” said Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet.