Turning Point USA, the organization co-founded by assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk, announced on Thursday that it will host its own halftime show as counterprograming to the Super Bowl LX’s show, which Bad Bunny is set to headline.
Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet told Newsweek in an email Thursday that “this is clearly something the country wanted to see happen, and we’re excited to deliver.”
The National Football League’s (NFL) decision to book Bad Bunny has drawn criticism from some conservatives, who cite his politics, his Spanish-language music, and unfamiliarity with the artist, among other reasons. On the other hand, the move has been celebrated by many Americans, as Bad Bunny is a popular musician and personality.
Why It Matters
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been named as Spotify’s most-streamed artist worldwide several times. His 31-show residency in Puerto Rico this year generated nearly $700 million for the local economy and made global headlines. The NFL called him “the most popular artist on Earth” when announcing his upcoming performance on September 28, underscoring his commercial power and cross-cultural influence.
The conservative backlash against the 31-year-old performer and record producer underscores ongoing tensions around identity, immigration, and the role of politics in popular entertainment, especially with the Super Bowl serving as a high-profile platform for American values and cultural narratives. Millions of Americans tune into the Super Bowl halftime show, and this year, for the first time, it is going to largely be performed in Spanish.
What To Know
In a Thursday X post, Turning Point USA announced, “The All American Halftime Show,” adding that “performers and event details coming soon.”
Kolvet said the event will “celebrate faith, family, and freedom,” adding that “already, within hours of making the announcement, this has been one of the most instantaneous and overwhelming responses to an event in our organization’s history.”
The organization attached a form that allows participants to highlight which music genres they would like to see featured, including “anything in English.” Other options include “Americana, Classic Rock, Country, Hip Hop, Pop, Worship.”
“We look forward to uniting the country around the timeless American values that make this the greatest country in the world,” Kolvet added.
The NFL’s announcement of Bad Bunny as the halftime performer, sparked backlash from conservative commentators, who criticized his political views, including his past criticism of President Donald Trump and support for Puerto Rican independence. The reaction intensified after his recent Saturday Night Live appearance, where he opened his monologue in Spanish and joked, “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”
Riley Gaines, 25, is a former swimmer at the University of Kentucky and host of Outkick’s Gaines for Girls podcast. She is a prominent conservative activist and is known for being an advocate against trans women in sport. She celebrated Turning Point’s announcement on Thursday, 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.”
In September, musicians Brandon Lake, Chris Tomlin, Phil Wickham, Cody Carnes and Kari Jobe performed ahead of Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona.
Most songs at the service were Christian rock, with some country, and Lee Greenwood performed “God Bless the USA” as Trump walked onto the stage.
What People Are Saying
New York Young Republican Club celebrated the move in a Thursday X post: “We’re beginning to see the formation of a parallel culture in America, a revitalization of the true American Spirit, free from corporate wokeism and donor/advertising pressures. One by one, conservatives will take back every great American institution. Great work, @TPUSA!”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said earlier this week: “I didn’t even know who Bad Bunny was, but it sounds like a terrible decision in my view. Well, it sounds like he’s not someone who appeals to a broader audience. And I think there’s so many eyes on the Super Bowl. A lot of young, impressionable children. And I think, in my view, you would have Lee Greenwood or role models doing that. Not somebody like this.”
Bad Bunny, in a statement issued after his Super Bowl performance was announced: “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown…this is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.”
President Donald Trump said following the Super Bowl’s announcement: “I never heard of him. I don’t know who he is, I don’t know why they’re doing it.”
Jay-Z, the artist and founder of Roc Nation, said in a statement that what Bad Bunny has “done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.”
Senator Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican, told journalist Nicholas Ballasy: “The NFL made a decision that was clearly partisan. Why else would you pick, you know, some second-rate musician to play in our greatest sporting event? It makes no sense whatsoever. I thought the guy’s Saturday Night Live appearance was insulting to the country.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom said in an X post about Bad Bunny: “California is excited to welcome you to Super Bowl LX.”
What Happens Next?
Details about Turning Point USA’s halftime show lineup will be released soon. The Super Bowl is scheduled for February 8, 2026, in California.
Update 10/9/25, 1:36 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 10/9/25, 3:47 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with Kolvet’s comment.