Two Halftime Shows, One Night: Culture, Choice, and the Politics of Entertainment

Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium is always a major cultural moment, blending sports, music, and national attention into a single spectacle. In 2026, that blend took on a sharper edge.

While global superstar Bad Bunny led the official halftime show, Turning Point USA launched a parallel event, offering viewers an alternative rooted in conservative values. This move reflected how divided modern entertainment has become.

Turning Point USA, founded by Charlie Kirk in 2012, is a nonprofit promoting conservative ideas among young people. After Kirk’s death in 2025, leadership passed to his widow, who continued large-scale events. For the Super Bowl, TPUSA announced “The All-American Halftime Show” as an option for viewers who felt disconnected from the official performance.

Bad Bunny’s show celebrated cultural diversity and global influence, with Spanish-language hits that transcended borders. Some conservative commentators, however, questioned whether it reflected “traditional” American symbolism, turning the halftime show into a cultural debate.

The alternative lineup included Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, emphasizing rural roots, patriotism, and traditional themes. The contrast with Bad Bunny’s performance was deliberate.

TPUSA faced technical challenges: planned livestreams on X (formerly Twitter) were blocked by licensing restrictions, forcing a last-minute switch to YouTube. Poor communication and missing links drew criticism, highlighting that execution matters as much as concept.

Public reactions were mixed. Supporters appreciated an alternative reflecting faith and patriotism, while critics focused on amateurish rollout. The event revealed that entertainment now reflects cultural alignment, with audiences choosing not just music but identities and values.

Ultimately, the initiative gave viewers choice. Some watched Bad Bunny, others the All-American show, and many discussed both. The Super Bowl remains a national event, but experiences are increasingly personal, illustrating how modern media allows parallel visions of culture to coexist.