Turning Point USA, the group founded by the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, announced on Thursday that it will host counterprogramming to the Super Bowl halftime show as MAGA leaders and supporters have been enraged over the selection of Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny as the 2026 headliner.
“It’s true, Turning Point USA is thrilled to announce The All American Halftime Show,” the group posted on X.
Turning Point USA’s announcement comes as the culture war controversy over Bad Bunny’s scheduled Super Bowl appearance has been going on more than a week after his selection was announced. MAGA influencers expressed fury with the National Football League over picking the performer to headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show in February.
They and other conservative critics say Bad Bunny should not headline the show because of his criticism of President Donald Trump’s agenda, exclusively Spanish-language lyrics, gender-fluid fashion and decision to not tour in the U.S. mainland over concerns of ICE raids at his shows. Some have questioned his legal status and suggested he is not American. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens.
The conservative group’s counterprogramming is a fresh reminder of the increasing politicization of the Super Bowl halftime show.
Turning Point USA did not name any of the performers in its show who would participate or detail where the show would be held or how it be broadcast but wrote that the show will celebrate faith, family and freedom. With the announcement, the group published a form asking supporters to share which music genres they would like featured in the show. The options begin with “anything in English” - a pointed reference to Bad Bunny.
Critics have argued the Super Bowl, one of the most-watched annual events in the United States, should be in English. The NFL, for its part, has emphasized its desire to expand its international audiences in recent years.
Trump has not been particularly vocal about Bad Bunny’s selection or the MAGA backlash. Speaking to Newsmax’s Greg Kelly late Monday, Trump sidestepped a question on whether to boycott the league over Bad Bunny.
“I don’t know who he is, I don’t know why they’re doing it - it’s, like, crazy,” Trump said. “Then they blame it on some promoter that they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend the Super Bowl earlier this year. In May, he announced that the 2027 NFL Draft will take place on the National Mall in Washington.
But the NFL is no stranger to criticism from MAGA leaders and supporters. During his first term as president, Trump demanded that NFL owners fire or suspend players who kneel during the national anthem in protest and urged fans to boycott. The league eventually created policies to keep protesting players in the locker room during the anthem.
Jack Posobiec, a right-wing commentator, was the first to suggest that Turning Point USA host a “counter-Superbowl halftime show” with rock band Creed when Bad Bunny was first announced. Other right-wing influencers quickly joined in calling for Turning Point USA to plan its own show.
Earlier this week, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) also joined the chorus of MAGA criticism, saying it was a “terrible decision” to choose Bad Bunny. He said that the Super Bowl should be headlined by an artist like Lee Greenwood, the country singer known for his song “God Bless the USA,” which is often Trump’s walkout music at events.