Turning Point USA has finalized its plans to go head-to-head with a separate “All-American Halftime Show” during the Super Bowl that will stream while Bad Bunny performs at Levi’s Stadium.
The conservative organization’s concert will feature four music acts and is being positioned as a patriotic alternative at a time when the league’s choice of a Spanish-language headliner has drawn criticism from some political and media figures (even though Bad Bunny is Puerto Rican, so also American). The event is scheduled for Feb. 8, when the New England Patriots face the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara.
Details of Alternative Super Bowl Halftime Show Announced Following Bad Bunny Controversy
The alternative broadcast was first floated in October, when Turning Point USA announced that it would stage its own show in response to the NFL’s decision to slot Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl 60 halftime performer.
The organization has now confirmed that its “All-American Halftime Show” will air around 8 p.m. ET across its social channels and partner platforms, including conservative outlets such as Real America’s Voice and One America News Network.
The announced lineup for Turning Point USA’s “All-American Halftime Show” includes Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. All four stars will reportedly perform as part of the counterprogramming effort timed to Bad Bunny’s on-field set.
Kid Rock, a longtime supporter of President Donald Trump, is billed as the headliner and is described as an outspoken conservative voice who frequently comments on politics. Gilbert and Brice are established names in country music, with hits like “Dirt Road Anthem” and “Bottoms Up” and Brice’s songs such as “One of Them Girls” and “Rumor.”
Kid Rock framed the project as a direct challenge to the NFL and its high-profile music partner. “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 a release announcing the lineup.
Barrett, the lone female act on the bill, first broke out as an “American Idol” contestant and later won the Academy of Country Music’s new female artist of the year award in 2021, gaining widespread recognition for her single “I Hope.”
MORE: ‘Terrible Choice’: President Donald Trump Slams Super Bowl Performers Bad Bunny, Green Day
Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet said the show is designed as a family-oriented broadcast. “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,” Kolvet said in the release.
What Is The Backlash On Bad Bunny’s Selection For Super Bowl 60 Halftime Show?
Turning Point USA’s decision to build a rival broadcast is rooted in the reaction that followed the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny as halftime headliner. The league, working with Roc Nation and Apple Music, announced in September that the Puerto Rican artist would lead the show, highlighting his global reach and status as one of the world’s most-streamed performers.
In a recent poll conducted by The Athletic, NFL players were divided on whether he is the right artist for the main event and noted that he will be the first Spanish-language artist to perform a Super Bowl halftime show as a solo headliner.
That selection, however, has been a flashpoint in conservative media. Critics questioned whether Bad Bunny was an appropriate or popular enough choice, citing his past comments about U.S. immigration enforcement.
Kid Rock referenced those debates directly when contrasting Turning Point USA’s event with the NFL production. “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,” he said in the same release, framing the “All-American Halftime Show” as an explicitly patriotic counterpoint to Bad Bunny’s performance.
With more than 120 million viewers expected to watch Super Bowl LX and its halftime show on NBC, Turning Point USA’s “All-American Halftime Show” will run as simultaneous programming for those who prefer its four-artist lineup to the NFL’s Bad Bunny-led performance.
Notes for Super Bowl 60 Matchup Between Seahawks-Patriots
- New England defeated the #1 (DEN), #2 (HOU), and #8 (LAC) ranked defenses on its way to winning the AFC.
- Seattle defeated the #1 (LAR) and #5 (SF) ranked offenses on its way to winning the NFC.
- The Patriots just two touchdowns and 26 points while forcing 8 turnovers during the playoffs. However, they have faced the 15th-ranked (DEN), 23rd-ranked (HOU), and 26th-ranked (LAC) offenses during that stretch.
- The Seahawks lead the league in third-down defense (32.3%), but they have allowed a 48% conversion rate on fourth down (T-7th). The Patriots rank 9th in third-down conversions allowed (36.9%) and 2nd on fourth down (33.3%).
- Seattle’s special teams have the second-best grade of the season with a 90.9 (A-), while New England is 20th (73.9 C-)
- Seattle has scored five special teams touchdowns, as well as blocking one punt and two field goals, while New England has scored three special teams touchdowns and has blocked one field goal
- The Patriots are one of eight teams to average under 40 net yards per punt. SEA has beaten two of the other seven teams in the last two weeks. NE (2nd; 37.7) and SEA (4th; 38.7) both rank in the top four when it comes to opponent net yards per punt.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba recorded a WRi score of 85.3 (B) against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game. It ranked 29th among players this season. In Week 12 against the Tennessee Titans, Smith-Njigba had the second-best score of the season with an 89.7 (B+). Only Puka Nacua’s 94.4 (A) WRi against Seattle in Week 16 was better.
- Smith-Njigba had the second-best season score (94.4, A), ranking seventh since 2019.
- Stefon Diggs had the fourth-best WRi score in the league after finishing 26th and 27th the last two seasons. Diggs’ score was the 39th best since 2019, and he has four of the top 48 season scores in that time frame.
- Drake Maye’s QBi of 97.8 (A+) against the Jets in Week 17 was the top individual game PFSN’s Quarterback Impact (QBi) performance over the past 18 seasons. Since 2000, only Peyton Manning’s 99.8 (A+) QBi against the Ravens in 2007 ranks higher in a single game.
- Sam Darnold registered five of his top eight career QBi scores this season (94 qualified games). Darnold’s QBi (90.8, A-) in Week 5 against Washington was his career best; it was also the 57th best score by any quarterback since 2000 (13,999 games).
- Mike Vrabel, with two touchdown receptions in Super Bowls, is tied for the seventh most career receiving touchdowns in Super Bowl games. Vrabel, who played over 200 career games as a linebacker, also recorded ten touchdown catches in the regular season.
- Seattle led the NFL with a +191 point differential this season, while New England was third at +170. This Super Bowl matchup marks the fifth time both teams entered with a regular-season point differential of at least +170. The other matchups were Super Bowl I (GB-KC), Super Bowl IV (KC-MIN), Super Bowl XIX (SF-MIA), and Super Bowl XLVIII (SEA-DEN).
- The Seahawks have yet to commit a turnover in the playoffs. Only 11 Super Bowl champions, including last season’s Eagles, have finished the postseason with just one turnover. Seattle is also among 17 teams in the Super Bowl era to play their first two playoff games without a turnover.
- The Seahawks’ DEFi score of 95.1 (A) against the Vikings in Week 13 ranked as the 12th-best individual PFSN’s Defense Impact game score across all NFL matchups since 2019 (out of 3,918 games).
- In nine Super Bowls with Belichick and Brady, the Patriots had a cumulative point differential of +14, including a 10-point victory in their final Super Bowl together.
- The Patriots’ 14 regular-season games against teams with a losing record are the most by a team in the Super Bowl. Washington, in the strike-shortened 1987 season, played 13 of 15 games against losing teams, including ones with replacement players. Seattle played nine such games this season.
