A bold new showdown is brewing for next year’s Super Bowl — but this time, it’s not on the field.
Conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA has unveiled plans for its own alternative halftime event to run during the NFL’s official Super Bowl LX show. The independent production, called The All American Halftime Show, is set to take place simultaneously with the main broadcast from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8.
The group, founded by the late activist Charlie Kirk — who tragically lost his life during a public speaking event on September 10 — announced the project earlier this week. According to their post on X, Turning Point USA described the initiative as a celebration of “Faith, Family & Freedom,” promising that more details and performer announcements would follow soon.
But here’s where it gets controversial... The announcement comes amid a wave of conservative criticism toward the NFL’s choice of Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny as the headliner for the official Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show. Many right-leaning commentators argued that the league’s selection sends the wrong cultural message, pointing to Bad Bunny’s decision to perform primarily in Spanish. The artist, who is an American citizen, has not shied away from discussing political and social issues, particularly his support for immigrant rights in the U.S.
On social media, Turning Point USA figures wasted little time framing their upcoming event as a patriotic counterpoint. In the group’s official post, they wrote, “It’s true — Turning Point USA is thrilled to announce The All American Halftime Show. Performers and event details coming soon.” The link led to the event’s official site, which encourages visitors to sign up for updates and even suggest what kinds of music they’d like to hear. Genre choices range from Americana and country to classic rock, hip-hop, pop, worship, and a rather pointed option: “Anything in English.”
The concept for this counterprogram effort appears to have gained traction after Bad Bunny’s October 4 appearance on Saturday Night Live. During the show, the singer delivered a message in Spanish before joking, “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.” Those remarks triggered sharp pushback among conservative voices.
Jack Posobiec, a Turning Point USA contributor and right-wing commentator, was among the first to call for an alternative halftime show. “Seems like a great reason for an alternative halftime show,” he said online, referencing Bad Bunny’s comments. Former NCAA swimmer and conservative activist Riley Gaines echoed the sentiment, writing, “Bad Bunny told Americans they had 4 months to learn Spanish if we wanted to understand the Super Bowl halftime show. No thanks. We’ll just have our own. Enjoy your low-rated halftime show.”
Even former President Donald Trump joined the debate, telling reporters earlier this month, “I’ve never heard of him. I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s crazy… I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
ABC News confirmed that requests for comments have been sent to representatives for both Bad Bunny and the NFL regarding Turning Point USA’s announcement. As of now, no official response has been made public.
This move by Turning Point USA raises fiery questions about culture, language, and patriotism. Is the countershow a celebration of American identity — or a reactionary pushback against the NFL’s growing embrace of global pop culture? Are we witnessing a genuine cultural divide play out through the Super Bowl stage? Let us know where you stand in the comments — is Turning Point’s move patriotic, provocative, or simply performative?
