The Super Bowl, America's iconic sporting event, took an unexpected turn in viewership when more than 5 million people opted to stream Turning Point USA’s alternative "All-American" halftime show on Sunday night. The event featured Kid Rock, alongside other country music performers, and was broadcasted on YouTube and Rumble in response to the NFL's official selection of Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny.
The alternative halftime show, which was imbued with patriotic fervor, began with a tribute to the late founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk. The host's opening words, "this one's for you Charlie," paid homage to Kirk, who was tragically murdered in September. The show opened with a rendition of the national anthem, drawing more than 3 million viewers during this segment alone.
The lineup included performances from Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, with Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, closing out the night. However, the broadcast was not without its hiccups, as it faced technical difficulties just before the scheduled start time and an abrupt platform switch from its originally planned streaming service.
Despite these challenges, the event's viewership climbed steadily, hitting a peak of over 5 million concurrent viewers. Kid Rock's performance, which began with his more famous persona and transitioned to an acoustic segment under his legal name, was the highlight of the evening. The program concluded with a poignant remembrance of Charlie Kirk, displaying photographs of him and his family with the caption "In Remembrance of Charlie Kirk."
Social media reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with viewers expressing their preference for the alternative halftime show over the official one. President Donald Trump also weighed in, criticizing the NFL's choice of Bad Bunny for the halftime entertainment, as reported by Newsmax last fall.
Turning Point USA, founded by Charlie Kirk, remains committed to its mission, with his widow, Erika Kirk, expressing gratitude for the show's success and the millions of viewers who tuned in. The organization's spokesperson, Andrew Kolvet, emphasized that the "All-American Halftime Show" was a celebration of faith, family, and freedom, with no agenda other than to unite Americans.
