MAGA Group's 'All-American' Super Bowl Halftime Show Criticized as 'Slow-Motion Train Wreck'

Phoenix Music Editor says Turning Point USA's lineup of country artists is a cynical attempt to counter the 'darker-skinned' Bad Bunny performance.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 6:55pm

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According to Phoenix New Times Music Editor Amy Young, the far-right group Turning Point USA is struggling to find artists willing to perform in its 'All-American' Super Bowl halftime show, which was designed to counter the appearance of Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny. Young says the lineup of country artists like Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Gabby Barrett, and Lee Brice is a 'slow-motion train wreck' that demonstrates the group's 'willful misunderstanding' of the diversity of American music and culture.

Why it matters

The Super Bowl halftime show is one of the most watched television events each year, and the choice of performers is seen as a reflection of American culture and values. Turning Point USA's attempt to present an 'All-American' lineup in response to Bad Bunny's appearance has been criticized as a cynical political stunt that fails to represent the true diversity of popular music in the United States.

The details

Young says Turning Point USA was 'groping' to find artists willing to be part of its 'All-American' halftime show, which she describes as a 'cynical show' designed to counter the 'darker-skinned' Bad Bunny. The group ultimately settled on a lineup of country artists like Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Gabby Barrett, and Lee Brice, which Young says demonstrates the organization's 'willful misunderstanding' of American music and culture. She notes that the NFL has previously featured international artists like Coldplay, Rihanna, The Weeknd, and U2 without backlash, but the inclusion of Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny has sparked outrage from MAGA supporters who view his use of the Spanish language as a 'threat to 'mericuh.'

  • The Super Bowl halftime show is scheduled for Sunday, February 9, 2026.

The players

Amy Young

The music editor for the Phoenix New Times who criticized Turning Point USA's 'All-American' Super Bowl halftime show lineup.

Turning Point USA

A far-right political organization that is organizing an 'All-American' Super Bowl halftime show in response to the appearance of Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny.

Bad Bunny

A Puerto Rican rapper who is scheduled to perform during the main Super Bowl halftime show.

Robert Ritchie

Also known as Kid Rock, a country artist who is part of Turning Point USA's 'All-American' Super Bowl halftime show lineup.

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What they’re saying

“Announcing a big ol' cynical show is one thing. It's a very different task, however, to find artists who want to be the face of such a stunt.”

— Amy Young, Music Editor, Phoenix New Times (Phoenix New Times)

“No one is particularly shocked to see Confederate-flag-waving Kid Rock lead this charge.”

— Amy Young, Music Editor, Phoenix New Times (Phoenix New Times)

“The willful misunderstanding of the fact that Puerto Ricans are indeed U.S. citizens demonstrates once again that MAGA acolytes interpret history and the law about as faithfully as they interpret the New Testament.”

— Amy Young, Music Editor, Phoenix New Times (Phoenix New Times)

What’s next

The Super Bowl halftime show featuring Turning Point USA's 'All-American' lineup and Bad Bunny is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 9, 2026.

The takeaway

Turning Point USA's attempt to present an 'All-American' Super Bowl halftime show in response to the appearance of Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny has been criticized as a cynical political stunt that fails to represent the true diversity of popular music in the United States. The lineup of country artists is seen as a 'slow-motion train wreck' that demonstrates the organization's 'willful misunderstanding' of American culture and values.