Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, is shaping up to be as much a cultural showdown as a sporting event. While the NFL has selected global superstar Bad Bunny to headline its official halftime show, conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA has launched a competing “All-American Halftime Show,” underscoring the widening political and cultural divide surrounding America’s biggest broadcast.
Bad Bunny’s selection immediately sparked backlash from right-wing figures, including President Donald Trump, who criticized the choice and said he would skip the game. The artist, a Puerto Rican-born U.S. citizen, has embraced his role as a political and cultural lightning rod, using awards speeches and music to advocate for immigrant rights and Latino identity. He has also made clear he will perform primarily in Spanish, telling critics they have “four months to learn.”
In response, Turning Point USA—now led by Erika Kirk—unveiled an alternative lineup aimed at viewers alienated by the NFL’s direction. Their roster features Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. Kid Rock, a vocal Trump ally, framed the event as a patriotic counter to what he sees as a globalized, left-leaning entertainment culture, though critics quickly pointed out the irony of pairing “family values” branding with his explicit musical history.
Online reaction has been sharply divided. Supporters praised the TPUSA lineup as a return to traditional American values, while critics mocked it as outdated and questioned why a Spanish-language performance by an American citizen is being portrayed as un-American. Younger viewers, in particular, have expressed confusion over the controversy.
As the Super Bowl approaches, the competing halftime shows symbolize a broader battle over identity, culture, and representation. While the NFL’s production will dominate viewership, TPUSA’s counter-event is less about numbers and more about signaling allegiance. In 2026, even halftime entertainment has become a referendum on what it means to be American.