Turning Point USA Draws Millions of Viewers for All-American Super Bowl Halftime Show While NFL Faces Backlash Over Bad Bunny in San Francisco

Sunday’s Super Bowl LX didn’t just deliver a football game — it sparked a cultural clash.

On one screen, the NFL presented its official halftime performance headlined by global pop star Bad Bunny, celebrated for his Spanish-language reggaeton and Grammy success.

But on another screen, streamed live online, a very different show was unfolding: Turning Point USA’s “All-American Halftime Show,” featuring country and rock acts like Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett.

Millions of fans chose to tune into that alternative broadcast on YouTube instead of the official halftime spectacle, with the stream peaking at around five million viewers.

What Prompted the Split?

The NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny, who often performs in Spanish and has made political remarks critical of U.S. immigration enforcement, ignited strong reactions from some conservative corners.

Critics argued that the language and themes of his performance didn’t reflect their vision of American entertainment.

This pushback had been building for months, with public figures, including President Donald Trump, openly denouncing the selection and calling the performance “absolutely terrible.”

That environment set the stage for Turning Point USA’s alternative concert, a production designed to highlight themes of patriotism, faith, and what it called “traditional” American culture.

Behind Turning Point USA’s Show

Unlike the NFL’s broadcast on NBC and Peacock, TPUSA’s halftime event streamed primarily on YouTube after a last-minute licensing issue scrapped plans to broadcast on X, formerly Twitter.

The show blended live performances with patriotic visuals, including an electric-guitar rendition of the U.S. national anthem and other Americana-leaning acts.

At the center of the evening was a tribute to Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was fatally shot in 2025 while speaking at a university event in Utah.

Performers and hosts referenced Kirk’s legacy throughout the show, framing it as both a celebration of his message and a moment of remembrance.

Mixed Reactions From Viewers and Critics

Reactions to the alternative halftime show were just as divided as opinions on the NFL’s official performance.

Supporters and conservative commentators praised the TPUSA broadcast for offering a patriotic and family-oriented experience.

Critics and some mainstream media outlets described it as underwhelming compared with the massive global reach of Bad Bunny’s show, which drew an audience likely exceeding 100 million, far surpassing the millions watching on YouTube.

Several viewers on social networks mocked Kid Rock’s delivery or questioned the concept’s cultural motivations, while others defended it.

Despite these debates, the choice to broadcast an alternative during one of America’s most-watched media events highlighted just how polarized entertainment and politics have become in the U.S.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, this moment could signal a deeper shift in how large events are consumed and interpreted culturally.

The NFL may review performer selection processes to balance diverse audience expectations with broader cultural trends.

Turning Point USA, now led by Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk, may expand its media initiatives as part of a broader strategy to reach conservative audiences.

Artists and entertainment brands could increasingly find themselves at the intersection of pop culture and political identity, prompting future alternative broadcasts or split-screen viewing options.

As major cultural moments like the Super Bowl become battlegrounds for ideological influence, viewers may face more choices about how — and whose version of — major events they want to watch.

Summary

On Super Bowl Sunday, the halftime spotlight wasn’t just on a stage in Santa Clara — it was split across platforms and audiences.

Bad Bunny delivered the NFL’s official halftime show in Spanish to a massive global television audience, while Turning Point USA countered with its “All-American Halftime Show,” streaming on YouTube and attracting millions of viewers with country, rock, and patriotic themes.

The alternative show included a tribute to slain TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk and emphasized themes like faith, family, and freedom.

Reactions were deeply divided, with some celebrating the event as a cultural alternative and others seeing it as overshadowed by the official halftime spectacle.

Ultimately, this clash over a halftime show reflects larger cultural conversations playing out on national stages and social media alike.