Cultural Counter-Strike: Turning Point USA Announces ‘All-American Halftime Show’ to Rival Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance

PHOENIX, AZ—The Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show is officially shaping up to be a culture war battleground. Following the NFL’s announcement that global superstar Bad Bunny will headline the 2026 performance, conservative youth organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA) has launched a bold counter-initiative: “The All-American Halftime Show.”

The move, announced via the group’s social media platforms, comes amid fierce conservative backlash over the selection of the Puerto Rican artist. Critics, including prominent political figures, have voiced displeasure, citing the singer’s primarily Spanish-language lyrics, past political stances, and perceived lack of alignment with traditional “American” entertainment.

TPUSA’s event promises to be a direct, competing broadcast designed for viewers seeking an alternative to the mainstream NFL show.

Celebrating “Faith, Family, and Freedom”

Dubbed “The All-American Halftime Show: Celebrating Faith, Family & Freedom,” the rival performance is slated to air on February 8, 2026, directly opposing Bad Bunny’s set during the Super Bowl LXI broadcast.

While no performers have been officially announced, TPUSA is gauging audience interest through a website survey that asks supporters to select their preferred music genres. The options are notably pointed, including categories like “Americana,” “Classic Rock,” “Worship,” and most controversially, “Anything in English.”

A TPUSA spokesperson confirmed the initiative is intended to fill a void for fans who feel increasingly alienated by the NFL’s cultural programming choices. The organization is positioning the event as a celebration of core American values and a patriotic music alternative.

The NFL’s Global Push vs. Cultural Traditionalism

The controversy highlights a growing cultural and political divide surrounding the Super Bowl, one of the most-watched television events in the United States.

Bad Bunny, a three-time Grammy Award winner and one of the world’s most-streamed artists, represents the NFL’s effort to court a younger, more global, and diverse audience. The league’s move follows a trend of selecting contemporary, internationally recognized artists for the high-profile slot.

However, the choice has triggered an intense response from the right. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called the selection a “terrible decision” and suggested country singer Lee Greenwood would have been a more fitting choice. President Donald Trump also weighed in, calling the choice “crazy” and “ridiculous.”

Meanwhile, Bad Bunny himself has playfully addressed the criticism. During a recent monologue, he quipped in English, “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn,” doubling down on his commitment to Spanish-language performance.

As the date for Super Bowl LXI approaches, the halftime break is set to become a dual-broadcast event, testing the appetite of a deeply divided American audience and confirming that the intersection of pop culture, sports, and politics is now an undeniable feature of the national conversation.