Kid Rock Will Headline Turning Point USA’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, Offering Alternative to Bad Bunny ‘for Folks Who Love America’

If you “love America,” you only have one choice for your Super Bowl halftime viewing, according to Kid Rock, and that is to watch him headline Turning Point USA‘s alternative show, set to stream on conservative websites at the same time Bad Bunny is performing for the official NFL event.

TPUSA’s plan to protest Bad Bunny’s booking with a show of their own was previously known, but a talent lineup had not been revealed until Monday. Besides Kid Rock, the roster will feature three country singers who have had chart successes in years past, Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert and Gabby Barrett. Further musical entertainers will be announced, the TPUSA website says.

“We plan to play great songs for folks who love America,” Kid Rock said in a statement. “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?”

He continued, referencing Bad Bunny: “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.” 

While rumors circulated among right-wingers that Bad Bunny would wear a dress during his official halftime show, as referenced by Kid Rock, that report has been denied.

The show will be seen on outlets like OAN News and the religious broadcaster TBN as well as on Turning Point’s social media channels.

TPUSA is the organization founded by Charlie Kirk, who was gunned down in a public appearance last year. His widow, Erika Kirk, is continuing his work.

The country stars announced for the show may not all be household names to music fans who don’t follow the genre, but each had a run of significant hits. Gilbert had five No. 1 country hits during the years 2011-2019, although he has not cracked the top 20 since then. He is signed to Big Machine, which released his most recent album, “Tattoos,” in 2024, peaking at No. 42 on the country albums chart.

Brice has not released an album since 2020’s “Hey World,” which reached No. 8 on the country albums chart. He had eight No. 1 country airplay singles in the years 2011-2020.

Barrett, who came to fame by finishing third on season 16 of “American Idol,” had a huge hit with her debut single, “I Hope,” which reached No. 3 on the Hot 100 and went eight-times platinum in 2020. Her most recent non-holiday album, 2024’s “Chapter & Verse,” reached No. 39 on the country albums chart.

The booking of Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl has been a flashpoint of push-back for some Republican politicians, though not all have been clear about what their objection to the singer is.

““I didn’t even know who Bad Bunny was. But it sounds like a terrible decision, in my view, from what I’m hearing,” Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said in October. Asked why, he replied, “It sounds like he’s not someone who appeals to a broader audience. … And there are so many eyes on the Super Bowl — a lot of young, impressionable children. And, in my view, you would have Lee Greenwood, or role models, doing that. Not somebody like this.”

Sen. Tommy Tuberville expressed similar statements in an interview with Newsmax last week. “Unfortunately we’ve got the Woke Bowl, because we’re getting more and more woke. We got Bad Bunny or Bad Rabbit at halftime,” the senator said, as the host chuckled. “I’ll be watching the TPUSA halftime show. It’s just unfortunate we’ve gotten to this point.”

Last week, President Donald J. Trump appeared to be referring to both Bad Bunny and Green Day when, in an interview with the New York Post, he said, ““I’m anti-them. I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible.”

“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,” Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet said in a statement. “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. We know millions around the country will be watching too.”