“This one’s for you, Charlie.”
With those words, conservative commentator Jack Prosobiec paid tribute to the late Turning Point USA co-founder while debuting the organization’s “All-American Halftime Show” on Feb. 8, moments before Bad Bunny took the stage at Levi’s Stadium at the Super Bowl in Santa Clara, California.
The NFL’s decision motivated Turning Point USA to create the All-American Halftime Show as an alternative, providing entertainment for viewers that celebrate “American culture, freedom, and faith,” a Turning Point USA statement noted.
Kid Rock was the most notable name in Turning Point USA’s event.
The counter-programming also showcased performances by country singers Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, and Gabby Barrett.
Robert James Ritchie, the man behind Kid Rock, 55, started his career as a hip-hop artist before exploring multiple genres, including country rock. He won Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist at the American Music Awards in 2003.
Kid Rock has performed at political events for Trump and is a vocal supporter of the president.
Last week, Kid Rock said that the All-American Halftime Show wasn’t intended to make a political statement but was for the enjoyment of people who "love Jesus" and "love America."
"One thing important that I would like to get out there and say to everyone is that, I think I speak for us all at Turning Point, the other artists that are performing, when I say that in no way, shape, or form—don't let the left twist this around—like, in no way are we approaching this with any hate in our hearts," he said in a video posted on X with conservative political commentator Benny Johnson.
"We're simply going to go play some great songs, like I've said, for our base—people who love football, love America, love good music, love Jesus," Kid Rock continued. "It's pretty much that simple."
Amid backlash from conservatives, the NFL has stood by having Bad Bunny host the halftime show. Before the Super Bowl, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called him “one of the great artists in the world."
Before the dueling shows, social media was enlivened with chatter from supporters of both artists.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on X that he was “Excited to Watch Kid Rock in the All-American Super Bowl Halftime Show.”
On X, former President Barack Obama's Obama Foundation posted, “From one natural-born U.S. citizen to another, have a great Benito Bowl.”
Turning Point’s event faced a glitch before the game.
“Due to licensing restrictions, we are unable to stream The All-American Halftime Show on X. Head on over to our YouTube channel tonight around 8PM ET to watch the full show,” the organization posted.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth greeted the audience with a video clip.
“From the War Department, we salute Turning Point USA and every American who still believes freedom is worth defending,” Hegseth said. “Thank you for your courage as an organization, your clarity and your leadership, and for this Halftime Show that the War Department is proud to support.”
On Feb. 7, Turning Point USA posted on X a video featuring Kirk, who said, “When you have the most televised event for the entire year, that should be a reflection of the virtue that hopefully you want society to embody.”
Charlie Kirk Tribute
Kirk was assassinated at gunpoint on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, for his Christian political views. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.On Oct. 10, Kid Rock told Fox News about Kirk’s impact on his life.
“It’s terrible that something like this had to happen to really bring everyone back to their faith—and even someone like myself who’s always been very spiritual, but even more so in the last several weeks,” he said after Kirk's murder.
“I find myself writing those songs, and I’ve been writing a Gospel album for the last year, working on a Gospel album. So it’s not anything new, but yes, I have a lot of faith and hope in the younger generation,” he added.
For the All-American Halftime Show, Kid Rock sang an eight-minute set.
He added a verse to Cody Johnson’s “Till You Can’t” in an emotional tribute to the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Near the end of the performance, he paid tribute to Jesus and the Bible, adding a verse to Cody Johnson’s “Till You Can’t.”
“Now, a few weeks ago, I woke up alone early on a Sunday morning and had this song stuck in my head,” he said. “And in that moment, someone or something spoke to me and told me there was still a verse missing from this song, and to get up and write it down. So I did. And now, I know exactly who was speaking to me that morning.”
The new verse, which Kid Rock sang for the first time late last year, said, “There’s a book that is sitting in your house somewhere that could use some dusting off / There’s a man that died for all our sins / Hanging from the cross / You can give your life to Jesus / And he’ll give you a second chance / ’Til you can’t, ’til you can’t.”
Turning Point ended the show with a posted tribute to Kirk.
Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny, whose name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been an outspoken critic of federal immigration law enforcement efforts by the Trump administration.Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny often wears a dress when performing and primarily sings in Spanish. He was Spotify’s most-streamed artist globally in 2025.
In September 2025, Bad Bunny said that he would not perform in the United States, aside from the Super Bowl appearance, because of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Last week, the artist won a Grammy for album of the year. During an acceptance speech at the Grammy Awards, he again chastised federal immigration enforcement.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say, ICE out,” the artist said. ”We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”
Bad Bunny’s halftime show included performances from special guests Alix Earle and Cardi B, and Ricky Martin among other stars who appeared on stage.
Lady Gaga made a cameo and danced with the headline artist before her performance of "Die With a Smile."
Early in the show, he introduced himself to the crowd in Spanish.
“Mi nombre es Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. Y si hoy estoy aquí en el Super Bowl 60, es porque nunca, nunca dejé de creer en mí y tú también deberías de creer en ti, vales más de lo que piensas.”
Translated to English, “My name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and if I’m here today at Super Bowl 60, it’s because I never, ever stopped believing in myself and you should also believe in yourself, you’re worth more than you think.”
The artist carried a Puerto Rican flag on his back for part of the concert. Bad Bunny performed entirely in Spanish, as all of his music is recorded in the language.
At the end of the set, the artist said, “God Bless America,” and then named countries in the Caribbean, Central, and South America. “And my motherland, mi patria, Puerto Rico, seguimos aquí.” In English, “My homeland, Puerto Rico, we are still here.”
Bad Bunny closed his performance flanked by foreign flags standing in front of a billboard that says: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
Trump called Bad Bunny’s halftime show “absolutely terrible.”
“Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“This ‘Show’ is just a ‘slap in the face’ to our Country, which is setting new standards and records every single day.”