In a provocative move underscoring the intensifying politicization of culture, the conservative activism group Turning Point USA (TPUSA) has announced plans to host its own “All American Halftime Show” alongside the NFL’s official Super Bowl LX halftime performance, currently headlined by Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny.

Origins of the Alternative Show

The announcement was first publicized on Oct. 9, 2025, in a flyer shared across TPUSA’s social media channels. In it, the organization pledges to present a “patriotic” alternative to the halftime spectacle, positioning the event as celebrating “faith, family and freedom.”The group says the lineup, venue, and broadcast details will be revealed in the future.

In the meantime, TPUSA is soliciting input from its followers on which musical genres should be featured. The choices listed include “Pop,” “Americana,” “Worship,” and the striking option “Anything in English.” This last category is widely interpreted as a pointed contrast to Bad Bunny’s primarily Spanish-language performances.

With no names currently confirmed, there is speculation (though unverified) that the Christian rock band Creed has been floated as a potential anchor act for the counter-show. The idea for a rival halftime event may have been catalyzed by conservative influencer Jack Posobiec, who publicly urged TPUSA to stage a competing performance.

Backlash Against Bad Bunny’s Headlining Role

Bad Bunny’s selection as the headliner for the Apple Music–produced Super Bowl LX halftime show was formally announced on Sept. 28, 2025, for the game to be played Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.  That choice has drawn fierce criticism from conservative figures who argue that he does not reflect traditional American values or connect with a broad American audience.

Among the objections: his frequent use of Spanish lyrics, his vocal criticism of U.S. immigration enforcement, and his fashion and political stances.  Some critics have even questioned whether he is “American enough” — a claim that ignores Puerto Ricans’ U.S. citizenship status.  Former President Donald Trump, in particular, has derided the selection, saying he had not heard of Bad Bunny and labeling the decision “ridiculous.” House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed disapproval, saying the NFL should have opted for someone like country singer Lee Greenwood instead.

Bad Bunny has responded with defiance rather than retreat. On a recent appearance on Saturday Night Live, he quipped that critics had “four months to learn” Spanish if they could not understand his lyrics. He has also described his Super Bowl gig as part of a broader affirmation of Latino identity and cultural pride.

Political and Cultural Stakes

TPUSA’s stunt is more than just an entertainment gambit — it is a deliberate statement in the ongoing “culture war.” By creating a competing halftime spectacle, the group is implicitly rejecting the NFL’s decision and offering viewers an ideologically “safe” alternative. Some analysts view it as the first serious attempt at explicitly political counterprogramming against one of America’s biggest media events.

Still, many questions remain. Will the TPUSA event attract a substantial viewership? Can it draw major stars who will risk alienating their mainstream audiences? And will this spate of backlash actually diminish or enhance Bad Bunny’s cultural impact?

From the NFL’s perspective, the halftime show has increasingly become a site of global outreach and cultural pluralism. The league has expressed ongoing ambitions to expand into international markets, including Latin America.  In that light, the criticism leveled by TPUSA may be seen by some as a backlash to shifting demographics and a pushback against globalization in entertainment.

Broader Historical Context

Counterprogramming during the Super Bowl is not entirely new — networks have long attempted alternative offerings (for example, MTV’s broadcasts in prior decades). But what is notable here is the explicit ideological dimension: the event is framed not just as entertainment but as a cultural corrective, overtly aligned with conservative American values.

If realized, the “All American Halftime Show” will effectively force viewers to choose: watch the NFL-sanctioned performance with its global, modern sensibilities, or side with a more traditional expression of national identity. Either way, it represents a radical shift in how sporting events—and their commercial and cultural components—are being contested in the United States.

As details emerge in the coming weeks — performer rosters, broadcast platforms, and logistics — observers will be watching closely to see whether this counterprogramming experiment can yield real traction, or whether it will fade as a symbolic gesture.