The NFL's decision to platform Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl halftime headliner was very controversial with Trump supporters and others who took issue with the Puerto Rican rapper's stance against ICE's aggressive tactics and his Spanish-only playlist; thus, the Turning Point USA alternative halftime show headlined by Kid Rock was born.
As expected, Kid Rock brought the crowd to their feet, starting out strong with his 1999 hit "Bawitdaba." Kid wrapped up his set with an emotional altar call, encouraging fans to give their lives to Jesus.
The concert was dedicated to Turning Point's murdered founder, Charlie Kirk. The crowd went absolutely insane for Kid Rock’s trademark high energy, but it looked like the backup track "Til You Can't," did most of the heavy lifting.
When Bad Bunny was announced as the Super Bowl halftime headliner TPUSA shared a questionnaire asking followers what genres of music they'd like to see featured. Options included, "Classic Rock," "Country," "Americana," and "Anything in English."
As TMZ put it, TPUSA later checked all those boxes when they tapped Trump supporter Kid Rock to headline with others, including country singers Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett, who were picked to join him.
Brantley Gilbert sang "Real American" and "Dirt Road Anthem." Gabby Barrett performed "I Hope" and "The Good Ones," and Lee Brice added "Drinking Class and "Hard to Love."
Headliner Kid Rock performed one of his most popular songs, "Bawitdaba," from his album "Devil Without a Cause" while an interview between Kid Rock and Joe Rogan talking about Jesus was inset on the screen during the song.
After an interlude by Antonio and Alison Marin on cello and violin KR came back to the stage for a cover of "Til You Can't," originally released by country singer Cody Johnson.
The finale of the show was a montage of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk that ended with a dedication to the murdered conservative activist that read: "In loving memory of our Founder and CEO, Charlie Kirk." It also included a Bible verse: "Here I am, send me," from Isaiah 6:8.
Between YouTube and Rumble the TPUSA alternative halftime show drew about 25 million viewers by 6 a.m. ET Monday. It had about 5 million viewers midway through the show, the Daily Mail reported.
Prior to the Super Bowl commencing, TPUSA announced via X that “licensing restrictions” would prevent it from streaming the show on X, which significantly depressed the show’s reach.
Admittedly these numbers were a fraction of the Super Bowl audience, but they were a strong statement of support for TPUSA and a middle finger to the woke NFL decisionmakers.
Jake Paul, who lives in Puerto Rico, called Bad Bunny "a fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America."
"I cannot support that," Paul said.
Newsweek further reported TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet suggested that number could rise to 50 million for the event, which took place during rapper Bad Bunny’s Spanish performance at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
“I can tell you that’s a shot across the bow. People are paying attention,” Kolvet told Fox News host Brian Kilmeade on Sunday evening. “And, you know, if you give us a year to plan this thing—I’m really excited to see what we can pull off.”
"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 said of Bad Bunny. President Donald Trump, of whom Rock is a major supporter, said that he had "never heard" of Bad Bunny.
President Trump criticized the Super Bowl’s official halftime show in a post to Truth Social, calling it "absolutely terrible,” "one of the worst EVER" and “‘slap in the face' to our country.”
“Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World,” he wrote.
On Sunday, Kolvet confirmed that TPUSA will be hosting another halftime show in 2027. “We are going to commit to doing this again next year,” he told Fox News. “We are going to do another halftime show for the country next year.”
As expected, Kid Rock brought the crowd to their feet, starting out strong with his 1999 hit "Bawitdaba." Kid wrapped up his set with an emotional altar call, encouraging fans to give their lives to Jesus.
The concert was dedicated to Turning Point's murdered founder, Charlie Kirk. The crowd went absolutely insane for Kid Rock’s trademark high energy, but it looked like the backup track "Til You Can't," did most of the heavy lifting.
When Bad Bunny was announced as the Super Bowl halftime headliner TPUSA shared a questionnaire asking followers what genres of music they'd like to see featured. Options included, "Classic Rock," "Country," "Americana," and "Anything in English."
As TMZ put it, TPUSA later checked all those boxes when they tapped Trump supporter Kid Rock to headline with others, including country singers Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett, who were picked to join him.
Brantley Gilbert sang "Real American" and "Dirt Road Anthem." Gabby Barrett performed "I Hope" and "The Good Ones," and Lee Brice added "Drinking Class and "Hard to Love."
Headliner Kid Rock performed one of his most popular songs, "Bawitdaba," from his album "Devil Without a Cause" while an interview between Kid Rock and Joe Rogan talking about Jesus was inset on the screen during the song.
After an interlude by Antonio and Alison Marin on cello and violin KR came back to the stage for a cover of "Til You Can't," originally released by country singer Cody Johnson.
The finale of the show was a montage of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk that ended with a dedication to the murdered conservative activist that read: "In loving memory of our Founder and CEO, Charlie Kirk." It also included a Bible verse: "Here I am, send me," from Isaiah 6:8.
Between YouTube and Rumble the TPUSA alternative halftime show drew about 25 million viewers by 6 a.m. ET Monday. It had about 5 million viewers midway through the show, the Daily Mail reported.
Prior to the Super Bowl commencing, TPUSA announced via X that “licensing restrictions” would prevent it from streaming the show on X, which significantly depressed the show’s reach.
Admittedly these numbers were a fraction of the Super Bowl audience, but they were a strong statement of support for TPUSA and a middle finger to the woke NFL decisionmakers.
Jake Paul, who lives in Puerto Rico, called Bad Bunny "a fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America."
"I cannot support that," Paul said.
Newsweek further reported TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet suggested that number could rise to 50 million for the event, which took place during rapper Bad Bunny’s Spanish performance at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
“I can tell you that’s a shot across the bow. People are paying attention,” Kolvet told Fox News host Brian Kilmeade on Sunday evening. “And, you know, if you give us a year to plan this thing—I’m really excited to see what we can pull off.”
"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 said of Bad Bunny. President Donald Trump, of whom Rock is a major supporter, said that he had "never heard" of Bad Bunny.
President Trump criticized the Super Bowl’s official halftime show in a post to Truth Social, calling it "absolutely terrible,” "one of the worst EVER" and “‘slap in the face' to our country.”
“Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World,” he wrote.
On Sunday, Kolvet confirmed that TPUSA will be hosting another halftime show in 2027. “We are going to commit to doing this again next year,” he told Fox News. “We are going to do another halftime show for the country next year.”
