The 2026 Super Bowl drew attention not only for the game and the NFL’s official halftime show featuring Bad Bunny, but also for a separate broadcast organized by Turning Point USA called the “All-American Halftime Show.”
The alternative event was created as a cultural counterprogram rather than a direct production rival, offering performances and commentary aligned with conservative values.
Turning Point USA was founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk, who led the organization until his death in September 2025 during a university speaking engagement. Afterward, leadership passed to his widow, Erika Kirk, marking continuity in the group’s direction. The halftime event became one of the first major initiatives under her leadership.
Organizers promoted the show around themes of faith, family, and traditional American culture. Rather than airing through the NFL broadcast, it streamed independently to an online audience.
The performer lineup leaned heavily toward country and country-rock artists. Headliner Kid Rock delivered a set that reflected his long-standing blend of music and cultural commentary.
Brantley Gilbert followed with high-energy songs focused on rural identity and perseverance, while Gabby Barrett provided crossover appeal to mainstream audiences after rising to fame on American Idol.
The most discussed moment came from Lee Brice, who introduced his performance by referencing Charlie Kirk’s influence and then performed a song expressing frustration over cultural and political shifts affecting rural communities.
The lyrics emphasized themes of faith, personal values, and feeling overlooked in modern public discourse.
Clips from Brice’s remarks spread rapidly online. Supporters viewed the message as a reflection of experiences they felt were ignored in mainstream culture, while critics saw the performance as an example of political messaging inserted into entertainment.
Overall, the All-American Halftime Show functioned less as an entertainment competitor and more as a platform for ideological expression. It illustrated how major cultural moments are increasingly used to communicate identity and belief, not just provide music.
By the end of the night, the alternative show had achieved its primary goal: visibility and conversation. Whether praised or criticized, it demonstrated the growing overlap between pop culture and political identity in modern media.