Published on: February 8, 2026, 08:41h.
Updated on: February 8, 2026, 08:43h.
- Turning Point USA introduced a patriotic alternative to Bad Bunny’s Spanish Halftime Show during the Super Bowl.
- The broadcast included performances by Kid Rock and several country musicians.
- Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed his political endorsement for the event.
During the “All-American Halftime Show” by Turning Point USA (TPUSA), none of the artists made overt political comments on Sunday night. However, they weren’t required to, as millions of NFL viewers opted to switch from Bad Bunny to this alternative broadcast—gathering an impressive 5 million views on YouTube alone.
This event aired as an alternative to the main Super Bowl halftime show, featuring popular country artists like Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, with Kid Rock concluding the performance.
While the show was also planned to stream on X, an undisclosed last-minute licensing issue thwarted that plan.
In a statement to Fox News, TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet articulated: ‘The All-American Halftime Show presents a chance for all Americans to enjoy a halftime performance with the sole intention of celebrating faith, family, and freedom.’
TPUSA was established by the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk and his widow, Erika, who committed to perpetuating his ideals following her husband’s tragic death during a speaking engagement in Utah last September.
An Alternative Narrative
Counter-programming during the Super Bowl isn’t a recent phenomenon. Since 2005, Animal Planet’s “Puppy Bowl” has attracted millions of viewers aged 25–54 seeking a more adorable and subdued viewing experience than the high-octane NFL entertainment.
However, Turning Point’s strategy recalls a distinct precedent. In 1992, Fox’s “In Living Color” aired a live episode during the halftime of Super Bowl XXVI, achieving tremendous success.
That episode drew 22 million viewers, outshining the NFL’s halftime feature, which was a Disney-produced “Winter Magic” spectacle starring Gloria Estefan and Dorothy Hamill. This ratings blow ultimately propelled the NFL to reimagine its halftime shows, leading to the modern era featuring pop superstars from Michael Jackson to Rihanna and the notorious Janet Jackson–Justin Timberlake incident in 2004.
Turning Point USA’s new approach resembles the “In Living Color” tactic but in reverse. By presenting only white artists exemplifying Christian values, it sought to rectify what it views as a misalignment in the NFL’s cultural course since 1992.
Yet, “The All-American Halftime Show” diverged from the “In Living Color” approach. It lacked the feel of a one-off event aiming to pressure the NFL into a cultural shift. Instead, it appeared more as a call for intensified cultural and political division, reflecting the growing disconnect among Americans.
The performance featured an introduction from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who declared, “From the War Department, we salute Turning Point USA and every American who values freedom. We appreciate your bravery, clarity, and leadership and your commitment to this halftime show, which the War Department proudly supports.”
While the Super Bowl is likely to remain the shared platform for a substantial audience in the future, with projections estimating 100 million viewers, the emergence of what appears to be a lasting partisan alternative for halftime shows serves as a stark reminder of the division among Americans who increasingly prefer segregated cultural experiences.