In response to the National Football League's (NFL) selection of Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime show, Turning Point USA has declared that it will present "The All-American Halftime Show" on February 8, 2026. The announcement from Turning Point comes amidst a backdrop of cultural and political discourse, highlighted by Bad Bunny's open anti-Trump views and public actions.
"I don’t know who he is, I don’t know why they’re doing it — it’s, like, crazy," said President Trump regarding Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show.
Bad Bunny, whose legal name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been a figure of contention among some conservative groups due to his stance on Trump's immigration policies and his support of former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. His participation in the Super Bowl halftime show has reignited debates over the intersection of politics, sports, and entertainment.
The artist has also been vocal about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, stating his reluctance to tour in the U.S. for fear that ICE could target his concert attendees. This statement comes as the Trump administration has indicated that ICE agents will be present at the Super Bowl during Bad Bunny's performance, according to reports from Resist the Mainstream.
President Trump, when questioned about Bad Bunny's scheduled Super Bowl performance, expressed his disapproval. "I don't know who he is, I don't know why they're doing it — it's, like, crazy," he said. "They blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it's absolutely ridiculous."
Bad Bunny has not shied away from addressing the controversy, telling Americans via a Saturday Night Live monologue, "If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have 4 months to learn."
Turning Point's alternative show aims to offer a counter-narrative during one of America's most-watched events, tapping into the sentiments of conservatives who feel that Bad Bunny's performance does not align with their values or views on American culture. The move by Turning Point highlights the ongoing polarization in the United States, where entertainment and political expression continue to intertwine.
