They Say They Won’t Watch. So They’ll Starve the Stage. A New Cultural Battle Erupts Over Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl

It started with a whisper on social media. Then a rumble in conservative broadcast rooms. Now, it’s about to erupt into a full-blown war over the soul of America’s biggest halftime stage.

Turning Point USA — the conservative organization co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk — has confirmed it will not passively sit by while Bad Bunny headlines Super Bowl LX. They’re launching what they call “The All American Halftime Show”, a rival broadcast set to air in parallel with the NFL’s official event on February 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California.

This isn’t just grumbling or talk. This is counterprogramming, a cultural strike against a choice they despise. And the stakes are huge: the Super Bowl is the most-watched television event in America, where music, identity and spectacle collide.

The Spark: Bad Bunny at the Heart of the Storm

When the NFL announced Bad Bunny (real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) as the headliner for the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, backlash from conservative commentators was swift and fierce.  Critics cited his political views, his choice to sing largely in Spanish, and his earlier comments about ICE enforcement at shows as disqualifiers for what they claimed should be a representation of “American values.”

Ironically, Bad Bunny himself had already stoked controversy: earlier this year, he said he purposely avoided booking U.S. tour dates over fear that Immigration and Customs Enforcement might show up at his concerts and detain fans — a claim that drew fire from critics who accused him of playing politics.

Meanwhile, in a pointed moment on Saturday Night Live, Bad Bunny quipped to critics: “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”  That jab became fuel for his detractors, who say it underscored what they see as an exclusionary, divisive tone.

This clash over language, identity, and who “belongs” on the biggest stage has made the halftime show into a symbolic battleground, not just a dazzling entertainment moment.

Turning Point’s Response: Not Watching Isn’t Enough

Turning Point USA didn’t just issue a social media statement. They announced they will create their own halftime spectacle to compete directly. In flyers, in X (formerly Twitter) posts, and via a survey link, they have asked the public: which genres should this alternate show feature? Choices include “Americana,” “Worship,” “Pop,” and — pointedly — “Anything in English.”

The group promises the new show will celebrate “faith, family, and freedom” — words that, in their messaging, serve as a direct contrast to the narrative they believe Bad Bunny represents.

They have not yet revealed performers or where the show will be streamed; those details are “coming soon.” The announcement has already whipped the conservative ecosystem into a frenzy — online influencers are calling it a “cultural reclamation,” a way to “take back the Super Bowl stage.”

This would be the first major instance of ideologically motivated counterprogramming aimed not at ratings alone, but as a cultural statement.

Voices from the Fray

Donald Trump, weighing in (of course), called Bad Bunny’s booking “crazy” and “absolutely ridiculous,” adding that he doesn’t even know who he is.   Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, criticized the choice, saying such a widely viewed event should feature someone with broader appeal, like country or patriotic artists.  And Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed the performance could harbor “demonic sexual performances,” while critics incorrectly questioned whether Bad Bunny is an “American artist,” despite Puerto Ricans being U.S. citizens.

On the other side, Jennifer Lopez defended his selection, arguing that music transcends language and urging skeptics to keep an open mind.  She reminded critics that her own Super Bowl performance was initially met with skepticism — and that the platform introduced her to many new fans.

For Bad Bunny himself, the controversy is part of the territory. He has doubled down on pride in his roots, his language, and what his presence on that stage symbolizes.  He sees the performance not just as entertainment, but as representation: a statement that Latino culture, Spanish language, and borderland stories belong in the American mainstream.

What Happens on February 8, 2026?

Two competing halftime shows. Two narratives battling for viewers, hearts, and cultural symbolism. The NFL broadcast — starring Bad Bunny — promises spectacle, flashy production, multicultural appeal, and a global spotlight. The Turning Point USA event — still nascent — promises something quieter, more values-driven, more rooted in a particular ideological vision of “America.”

Will their alternative show pull audiences away? Will conservative viewers flip the channel midgame? Will their broadcast be picked up by major networks or streaming platforms? Will artists even agree to join? We don’t yet know. But the announcement alone has already forced the NFL’s decision into the headlines and turned a halftime show — usually a neutral space — into a front line.

This is not just a battle for eyeballs. It’s a battle for definition: Who gets to represent America on its biggest televised stage? Is it a Spanish-speaking Puerto Rican who dares to claim his heritage? Or is it someone singing in English, “safe” and familiar, under the banner of “faith, family, freedom”?

Whether you planned to watch or not, the drama is here.