Kid Rock's Controversial Super Bowl Halftime Show

Evangelicals defend the singer's sexually-charged lyrics and performance

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Conservative evangelicals created an alternative Super Bowl halftime show featuring Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, and other Christian-friendly artists. However, the event was marred by controversy over Kid Rock's sexually explicit lyrics and behavior, raising questions about the evangelical community's obsession with celebrity culture.

Why it matters

This story highlights the ongoing tension between conservative evangelicals and mainstream culture, as well as the community's tendency to embrace celebrities who claim to have found religion, even when their actions and lyrics contradict Christian values. It also reflects the insecurity and desire for validation that often drives evangelical engagement with pop culture.

The details

The alternative halftime show, organized by Turning Point USA (TPUSA) and the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), was intended to provide a "faith and family friendly" alternative to the official halftime show featuring Bad Bunny. However, Kid Rock's performance included references to "topless dancers," "chicks with beepers," and other sexually charged content. Despite this, some evangelicals attempted to reframe Kid Rock's performance as a "redemption story," claiming the singer's final song about Jesus was symbolic of his spiritual transformation.

  • Kid Rock's alternative halftime show took place on February 12, 2026, during the Super Bowl.
  • In the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, conservative commentators like Megyn Kelly and Jesse Watters criticized the NFL's decision to feature Bad Bunny, who performed in Spanish, as the official halftime act.

The players

Kid Rock

An American musician known for his blend of rock, rap, and country music, who was the headline performer for the evangelical alternative halftime show.

Turning Point USA (TPUSA)

A conservative non-profit organization that partnered with TBN to organize the alternative halftime show.

Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)

A major Christian television network that co-hosted the alternative halftime show with TPUSA.

Megyn Kelly

A conservative political commentator who criticized the NFL's decision to feature Bad Bunny, who performed in Spanish, as the official halftime act.

Jesse Watters

A Fox News host who also criticized the NFL's decision to feature Bad Bunny, calling it an "open borders moment."

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The controversy surrounding the evangelical alternative halftime show is likely to continue, with further scrutiny of Kid Rock's lyrics and behavior, as well as the decision-making process of TPUSA and TBN in selecting him as the headline performer.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the evangelical community's ongoing struggle to reconcile its desire for cultural relevance and validation with its stated moral and theological principles. It also raises questions about the community's tendency to overlook or excuse the problematic behavior of celebrities who claim to have found religion, underscoring the need for more critical and nuanced engagement with pop culture.