The Super Bowl’s halftime stage is about to become a battlefield of culture wars.
Turning Point USA—once a campus‑focused right‑wing advocacy group founded by the late Charlie Kirk—has just announced a bold counter‑move: an “All American Halftime Show” that will run alongside (or perhaps over) the NFL’s official spectacle, which this year features Puerto Rican megastar Bad Bunny.
The organization posted a teaser on its social channels that read, “Performers and event details coming soon,” and linked to a viewer poll asking fans to pick the genres they’d like to hear. Options range from “Anything in English,” to “Americana,” to “Worship,” and—surprisingly—“Hip‑Hop,” even though Kirk has previously lambasted rap as “degenerate.” And this is the part most people miss: the inclusion of hip‑hop could be a strategic nod to the very demographic they’ve long warned against, or simply a slip that reveals how tangled the cultural messaging has become.
How will this alternative halftime be broadcast? The details remain fuzzy. What’s clear is that anyone wanting to watch Turning Point’s version will have to mute the NFL feed and switch over to a separate stream that promises to celebrate “faith, family and freedom.” In other words, the group is betting that a sizable audience will abandon the NFL’s production in favor of a politically‑charged, patriot‑themed showcase.
The Bad Bunny Backlash
Bad Bunny’s selection as the 2026 halftime headliner sparked an immediate firestorm on the right. Government officials jumped in, scrutinizing the artist’s Spanish‑language catalog and recalling his recent comments about avoiding U.S. venues for fear of ICE agents. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, now serving as Secretary of Homeland Security in a fictional scenario, warned that immigration enforcement would be “all over” the game, insisting only “law‑abiding Americans who love this country” should attend. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the booking a “terrible decision,” suggesting a return to classic country—specifically Lee Greenwood—could draw a “broader audience.” That’s a bold claim, considering Greenwood’s Spotify listenership hovers under half a million, while Bad Bunny boasts roughly 80 million monthly streams.
Even former President Donald Trump weighed in, labeling the choice “absolutely ridiculous” while confessing, “I’ve never heard of him.” The criticism continued on the now‑hosted “Charlie Kirk Show,” which persisted after Kirk’s tragic assassination during a campus debate in September. His widow, Erika Kirk, stepped into the CEO role at Turning Point USA, steering the organization into this high‑stakes media duel.
Bad Bunny Fires Back
On October 4, Bad Bunny appeared on “Saturday Night Live” and turned the tables, poking fun at the conservative pundits hounding his halftime gig. He delivered a heartfelt gratitude in Spanish, highlighting the contributions of Latinx communities in the United States, then switched to English for the punchline: “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.” The remark not only underscored his bilingual appeal but also issued a subtle challenge to anyone refusing to engage with his culture.
What’s at Stake?
The Super Bowl is slated for February 8, 2026. If Turning Point’s alternative show gains traction, we could witness a rare moment where a political organization directly competes with a major sporting league for viewers’ attention during the most-watched broadcast of the year. Will fans actually switch channels, or will the NFL’s massive production continue to dominate?
But here’s where it gets controversial: Is it appropriate for a partisan group to hijack a cultural event that traditionally aims to unite, not divide? And does Bad Bunny’s presence signal a broader shift toward more diverse, multilingual representation in mainstream American entertainment, or merely a flashpoint for culture‑war battles?
We want to hear from you. Do you think Turning Point USA’s “All American” halftime is a legitimate exercise of free expression, or does it cross a line into political intimidation? How do you feel about Bad Bunny’s selection—celebration of cultural diversity, or a misstep for a family‑friendly showcase? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s keep the conversation rolling.
