Zach Bryan criticizes Turning Point USA for throwing a politically charged halftime concert that he says is embarrassing as hell in the United States

Zach Bryan didn’t hold back on Monday when he criticized the rival Super Bowl halftime show headlined by Kid Rock and organized by conservative group Turning Point USA.

The 29-year-old country singer-songwriter called the All-American Halftime Show “embarrassing as hell,” calling out the political theatrics behind the event.

Posting to his Instagram Stories, Bryan slammed the show’s organizers, led by Erika Kirk, before ultimately deleting the post.

“I don’t care what side you’re on,” he wrote, “a bunch of adults throwing temper tantrums and their own halftime show is embarrassing as hell and the most cringe s*** on the planet.”

A Navy Veteran with Strong Opinions

Bryan, a U.S. Navy veteran from Oologah, Oklahoma, has never been shy about sharing his views on social media.

During the Super Bowl, he referenced Kid Rock in a tongue-in-cheek post showing someone covering Bad Bunny’s performance on TV while watching Kid Rock on a phone.

Bryan captioned it, “What Kid Rock actually thinks is happening across America.”

Later, he laughed off the blowback from fans, writing, “Bro the irony in how upset a bunch of middle aged douchebags are in my DMs this morning hahahahah.”

Bryan’s Super Bowl Spotlight

Though not part of the televised halftime extravaganza, Bryan was involved in Super Bowl festivities as a stand-in for Luke Combs at a Madden Bowl concert in San Francisco’s Chase Center.

His set included a surprise musical cameo from NFL star Christian McCaffrey, who impressed fans with his piano skills.

Kid Rock’s Take on the TPUSA Show

Earlier this month, Kid Rock defended the Turning Point USA halftime event, promising “great songs for folks who love America” and likening the performance to a David-versus-Goliath challenge against the mainstream Super Bowl machine.

In his own words: “Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible … or is it?”

When addressing Bad Bunny’s performance, Kid Rock quipped about the Puerto Rican superstar’s colorful halftime approach: “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.”

Turning Point USA Declares Victory

Andrew Kolvet, spokesperson for Turning Point USA, hailed the event as a “massive success” during a Monday interview with Fox News.

The show featured other country stars including Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, cementing its appeal to a patriotic, country-leaning audience.

Zach Bryan and Politics

Bryan has occasionally made headlines for weighing in on political issues.

In July 2024, he shared support for President Donald Trump after the assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, saying, “I don’t support Trump or Biden but the man got shot in the ear, head… and then fist bumped in the air. That is sick, dude!”

Last year, Bryan also drew attention with his track “Bad News,” which took aim at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The lyrics reflected social and political tensions:

“And ICE is gonna come, bust down your door / Try to build a house no one builds no more / But I got a telephone / Kids are all scared and all alone.”

“The middle finger’s rising, and it won’t stop showing / Got some bad news / The fading of the red, white and blue.”

What’s Next?

Bryan’s critique has sparked conversation among fans and observers alike, highlighting the increasingly political undercurrent of entertainment events.

Whether he will continue publicly commenting on shows like this or remain focused on his music remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Kid Rock and TPUSA are likely to lean into their narrative of cultural patriotism for future events.

Summary

Zach Bryan called out Kid Rock’s TPUSA Super Bowl halftime show as “embarrassing,” mocking the political spectacle behind it.

The country star, a Navy veteran known for speaking his mind, compared it unfavorably to Bad Bunny’s mainstream performance.

While Bryan entertained fans at the Madden Bowl, Kid Rock defended his show as a David-and-Goliath moment.

TPUSA declared the event a success, featuring several country stars.

Bryan’s history of social commentary and politically charged songs adds context to his outspoken reaction, making his dismissal of the TPUSA show part of a larger pattern of cultural critique.