Kid Rock headlines TPUSA counterprogrammed Super Bowl halftime show
Kid Rock headlined a counterprogrammed halftime show dubbed "The All-American Halftime Show," run by conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA at the same time Bad Bunny took the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show stage on Sunday.
Along with Kid Rock, the "one-of-a-kind streaming event" featured performances from "Bottoms Up" singer Brantley Gilbert, "I Drive Your Truck" singer Lee Brice, and "I Hope" singer Gabby Barrett.
Turning Point USA's YouTube stream of the show peaked at just over six million concurrent viewers during Sunday night's event, according to what ABC News observed
Following Kid Rock's performance, the group promised to bring the show back for next year's game.
"The All-American Halftime Show pulled in OVER 25 MILLION views on just YouTube and Rumble alone," TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet tweeted. "Based on tonight’s success, we have committed to running it back again next year. The All-American Halftime Show will be back in 2027."
That 25 million total touted by TPUSA remains unverified. The YouTube replay currently stands at around 19 million views as of Monday morning.
TPUSA announced plans for the counterprogrammed show in October after global phenom and album of the year Grammy winner Bad Bunny was named the official Super Bowl halftime performer.
The show began its stream after the end of the second quarter of the Super Bowl game across TPUSA social platforms, as well as on Daily Wire+, TBN, Real America's Voice and OANN.
"We're approaching this show like David and Goliath. Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible... or is it?" Kid Rock said in an earlier news release, before taking a jab at Bad Bunny and adding, "We plan to play great songs for folks who love America."
In the statement, Turning Point spokesman Andrew Kolvet added in part, "We set out to provide an entertainment option that will be fun, excellent, and exciting for the entire family while millions are gathered together for the big game. These performers will deliver exactly that, and we can't wait to watch the incredible show they're about to put on."
After Kid Rock’s performance, Turning Point USA posted a tribute to Charlie Kirk, its founder and CEO, dedicating the show to him.
Brantley Gilbert opened the show, followed by performances from Gabby Barrett and Lee Brice.
During Brice's performance, he referenced Charlie Kirk, saying the activist "gave people microphones to say what’s on their mind. This is what’s on mine."
The lineup announcement came after months of conservative backlash to the NFL's decision to hire Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl LX halftime show performer.
Bad Bunny, who was born in Puerto Rico and is an American citizen, sings almost exclusively in Spanish and performed primarily in Spanish during the Super Bowl halftime event. Lady Gaga joined Bad Bunny's performance, playing her song "Die With a Smile."
Before the show, Bad Bunny has been on the receiving end of conservative backlash recently for his outspoken support of immigrants in the United States amid recent ICE crackdowns, including in his Grammys acceptance speeches Sunday night.
"Before I say thanks to God, I'm going to say ICE OUT," Bad Bunny said while accepting the award for best música urbana album at the Grammy Awards. "We're not savages, we're not animals. We are humans, and we are Americans."
He also called on people to fight hate with love, saying "the only thing that is more powerful than hate is love."
Additionally, in his album of the year acceptance speech, he dedicated the award "to all the people that had to leave their homeland, their country, to follow their dreams."
