Turning Point to Host ‘All American’ Halftime Show to Counter Super Bowl’s Bad Bunny

‘Performers and event details coming soon,’ said the conservative group. The NFL’s pick sparked backlash among some fans and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Bad Bunny performs at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Feb. 23, 2024. David Becker/Getty Images

Turning Point USA, the organization founded by assassinated conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, has unveiled plans to host its own Super Bowl halftime show—one that celebrates faith, family, and freedom.

“Huge announcement,” the nonprofit wrote on X on Thursday.

“It’s true, Turning Point USA is thrilled to announce ‘The All American Halftime Show.’ Performers and event details coming soon.”

The rival event will take place during the Feb. 8, 2026,  game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The announcement comes after the NFL named Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny as the headliner for its Super Bowl LX halftime festivities.

The Grammy-winning singer, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, primarily sings in Spanish and is known for hits such as “Dakiti” and “Me Porto Bonito.”

Jon Barker, senior vice president of Global Event Production for the NFL, said in a Sept. 28 statement that the 31-year-old performer represents “the global energy and cultural vibrancy that define today’s music scene.”

“As one of the most influential and streamed artists in the world, his unique ability to bridge genres, languages, and audiences makes him an exciting and natural choice to take the Super Bowl halftime stage,” Barker added.

“We know his dynamic performances, creative vision, and deep connection with fans will deliver the kind of unforgettable experience we’ve come to expect from this iconic cultural moment.”

However, the choice garnered criticism from many NFL fans online.

“Bad move NFL ... millions of people will not be watching this year,” one Instagram user wrote. “Live in America, speak English,” added another. “Boycott the Superbowl,” a third comment reads.

Bad Bunny addressed the backlash while hosting NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” on Oct. 4.

“I’m very happy, and I think everyone is happy about it, even Fox News,” he said during his opening monologue. “I’m very excited ... and I know that people all around the world who love my music are also happy.”

Bad Bunny is set to kick off his world tour in the Dominican Republic in November to celebrate the launch of his sixth studio album, the politically charged “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” which debuted in January.

The singer previously said his tour would not include any stops in the United States out of concern for potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations at his concerts.

However, on the same day the NFL announced his upcoming Super Bowl gig, the singer wrote on X that he would be making one exception.

“I’ve been thinking about it these days, and after discussing it with my team, I think I'll do just one date in the United States,” he wrote.

Bad Bunny’s halftime performance has garnered pushback from several government officials.

During an Oct. 3 appearance on “The Benny Show,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed that ICE would be stationed at Levi’s Stadium on game day.

“I have the responsibility for making sure everybody goes to the Super Bowl, has the opportunity to enjoy it and to leave, and that’s what America’s about,” Noem said. “So yeah, we’ll be all over that place, and we’re going to enforce the law ... so I think people should not be coming to the Super Bowl unless they are law-abiding Americans who love this country.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson also criticized the NFL’s musical selection while speaking to the press on Oct. 7, noting that it “sounds like a terrible decision.”

“It sounds like he’s not someone who appeals to a broader audience. And there are so many eyes on the Super Bowl—for a lot of young and impressionable children,” Johnson said. “In my view, you would have Lee Greenwood or role models doing that. Not somebody like this.”

Greenwood welcomed the idea in response, telling the New York Post on Thursday that he agreed with Johnson.

“I would make a great performer for any Super Bowl show,” the Grammy-winning country singer, best known for his 1984 patriotic hit “God Bless the USA,” told the publication.

“I perform for various NFL teams every year, especially during their Salute to Service games. As a matter of fact, I will be doing halftime for the Dallas Cowboys during Monday Night Football on Nov. 3.

“Maybe the NFL will have me perform this year at the Super Bowl prior to the game to have a stadium full of football fans singing ‘God Bless the USA’ to kick off the game!”