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Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA to stage 'All-American Halftime Show' in protest at Bad Bunny being Super Bowl performer
Turning Point USA has announced that it will be doing its own Super Bowl halftime event as it seeks to protest Bad Bunny's performance.
Not only this, but Bad Bunny's announcement has resulted in conservative figures lashing out, and ICE confirming its presence at the game.
The NFL’s announcement, made alongside Apple Music and Roc Nation, was met with immediate political blowback from many commentators on the right.
Turning Point USA announces counter-show: “Faith, family, and freedom”
Conservative youth organization Turning Point USA — founded by the late Charlie Kirk — has announced its own response: a competing halftime broadcast called the All-American Halftime Show.
The group says it will showcase American values and offer viewers “faith, family, and freedom” in contrast to the NFL’s main event.
A survey on their website lets users vote on music genres for the show, including “Anything in English,” “Americana,” “Worship,” and “Hip Hop.”
While performers haven't been announced yet, Turning Point has promised further details soon.
As Variety noted, it’s still unclear how or where the show will be streamed — but the intent is clear: steer viewers away from the official halftime show.
Trump weighs in: “I don’t know who he is”
Former President Donald Trump also chimed in during a NewsMax interview, brushing off Bad Bunny’s fame and criticizing the NFL’s decision.
“I never heard of him. I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it, it’s crazy… I think it’s absolutely ridiculous,” Trump said.
Despite being one of the most-streamed artists in the world — and a three-time Grammy winner — Bad Bunny hasn’t won over the former president or his base. During Trump’s presidency, the rapper was vocal in his criticism, which likely fuels the tension now surrounding his 2026 halftime gig.
ICE at the Super Bowl? Officials confirm presence amid security concerns
Adding fuel to the fire, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that ICE agents will be present at the Super Bowl, a move many believe is directly tied to Bad Bunny’s prior remarks about fearing ICE raids at U.S. venues.
“I have the responsibility for making sure everybody goes to the Super Bowl, has the opportunity to enjoy it and to leave,” Noem said during The Benny Show. “That’s what America’s about. So yeah, we’ll be all over that place. We’re going to enforce the law.”
She added: “So, I think people should not be coming to the Super Bowl unless they’re law-abiding Americans who love this country.”
Corey Lewandowski, a top Noem adviser, echoed those sentiments: “There is nowhere you can provide a haven to people who are in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find you. We will apprehend you. We will put you in a detention facility, and we will deport you.”
Bad Bunny responds
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, isn’t backing down.
After announcing his halftime performance, he posted a passionate message to fans: “What I'm feeling goes beyond myself. It's for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown.
"This is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.”