Turning Point halftime show latest: Trump silent on Kid Rock’s MAGA alternative despite Democrats’ taunts

MAGA-friendly Super Bowl alternative to Bad Bunny featured Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert and more

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Turning Point USA’s “All-American” Super Bowl halftime show ran long and ended with a montage to slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The show — which streamed live during Bad Bunny’s official half-time show at Levi’s Stadium in California — featured performances from Kid Rock and three other country musicians: Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett.

After garnering about 4.5 million views, the production came to a close after the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks resumed the game.

Turning Point USA, founded by Kirk, announced its alternative halftime show last October amid mounting conservative criticism over the selection of Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican rapper, as the Super Bowl halftime performer.

The White House expressed support for TPUSA’s show, reposting a video of it on social media. And Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wrote on X that his family had tuned in.

President Trump also bashed the official Super Bowl mid-game show in a post on Truth Social, labeling it “absolutely terrible” and “one of the worst, EVER!”

But, despite harsh criticism from Trump and his allies, more Americans were interested in watching Bad Bunny perform in Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show than Turning Point USA’s MAGA fest.

A YouGov America survey released Friday found that 35 percent of respondents prefer Bad Bunny’s show compared to 28 percent who said they were more interested in the Kid Rock-headlined event.

• Where was Trump during the Super Bowl? President rages at Bad Bunny’s halftime show from afar
• Bad Bunny review, Super Bowl 2026 halftime show: This wild, inclusive fiesta was an inherently political stand
• Super Bowl 2026 halftime show live: Bad Bunny headlines historic set with surprise guests and message for Americas

Key Points

• What we know about MAGA’s alternative Super Bowl halftime show
• TPUSA's 'All-American' halftime show was held in North Dakota
• TPUSA's halftime show hits 6.1 million viewers
• US defense secretary salutes TPUSA and says ‘freedom is still worth the fight’
• Americans prefer Bad Bunny halftime over Kid Rock's performance: Poll
• Trump criticizes Bad Bunny halftime show, makes no mention of TPUSA event

Country singer Brantley Gilbert defends decision to perform at Turning Point USA’s controversial halftime show

Country singer Brantley Gilbert defends decision to perform at Turning Point USA’s controversial halftime show

Brantley Gilbert cited his love for America as a reason why he’s performing at Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show, which was organized in protest of the NFL’s 2026 Super Bowl music acts.

“​​I’m a songwriter who grew up, and still lives in Jackson County, Georgia, whose goal in the music business was to sell out the local theater a few miles from my house and somehow make my living writing songs,” he said. “I’m a recovering addict with the history of all the bad choices that come with it. I’m not proud of those choices, but I am proud of the choice I’ve made to live in another direction.”

Candace Owens says she wasn't impressed by either halftime show

Conservative podcast host Candace Owens said she wasn’t impressed by either Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance or Turning Point USA’s alternate show featuring Kid Rock.

“I am sorry but I hate both options,” Owens wrote on X to her 7.5 million followers.

“On The one hand, we have a half-time show presented without a word of English spoken,” she wrote. “On the other hand we have an organization that scammed its views by paying platform advertisers, followed by influencers to pretend they broke records.”

“The left vs. right grift is actually boring now,” Owens continued. “What exactly are we doing here, America?”

Kid Rock mocked for 'miming'

Kid Rock was caught lip-synching during his Turning Point USA half-time show, held in protest against Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance.

Kid Rock mocked for ‘miming’ Turning Point USA Super Bowl halftime performance

How many people watched Turning Point USA's alternative show?

Turning Point USA’s “All-American” Super Bowl show might have been held for “underserved” Americans – but the majority opted to watch Bad Bunny’s half-time performance instead.

Turning Point USA halftime show viewing figures revealed

Democrats poke fun at Trump's halftime response

Democrats poked fun at President Donald Trump’s post about the Super Bowl halftime show, noting that he appeared to watch Bad Bunny’s performance rather than Kid Rock’s gig at TPUSA’s alternate halftime show.

The Democratic Party’s official X account shared Trump’s post, writing, “Guess he wasn’t watching Kid Rock then.”

ICYMI: Bad Bunny calls for unity in 2026 Super Bowl Halftime show

Kid Rock faces questions over apparent lip-syncing at TPUSA show

Kid Rock’s headline set at Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show prompted discussion on X during and after the livestream, with users sharing clips that they said appeared to show portions of the performance being lip-synced.

Several posts pointed to moments in which the vocals continued at full volume as Rock briefly moved the microphone away from his mouth, fuelling speculation that parts of the set relied on backing tracks or pre-recorded audio.

“I am in tears at how badly Kid Rock is lip syncing,” wrote one user on X, formerly Twitter.

“Kid Rock, bro, I'm embarrassed for you. This was a great opportunity for you. Worst lip syncing I've ever seen and I remember Milli Vanilli,” wrote another, referring to the pop duo who were stripped of their Grammy in 1990 after the revelation that they had not sung on their recordings.

Trump criticizes Bad Bunny halftime show, makes no mention of TPUSA event

Donald Trump publicly criticized Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime performance Sunday night, calling it “absolutely terrible” in a post on Truth Social and questioning its entertainment value.

“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence,” Trump said on Truth Social approximately 30 minutes after the performance ended.

Trump has said nothing about Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show, which was launched in protest against the NFL’s picks.

Trump slams ‘absolutely terrible’ Bad Bunny halftime show

ICYMI: Turning Point USA kicks off "All American Halftime Show"

TPUSA's 'All-American' halftime show was held in North Dakota, report says

Turning Point USA’s “All-American” half time show was held about 2,000 miles away from the Super Bowl in Santa Clara, California, according to a report.

The TPUSA event, which featured Kid Rock and was streamed online, was staged at the University of North Dakota, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.

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