By Randall Elvin · Staff Writer
When Super Bowl LIX kicks off on Feb. 8, millions of Americans will tune in to see the two best football teams go head-to-head with one of the most-watched musical events in the world right in the middle of it.
Yet this year, the choice of Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny to headline the halftime show has sparked plans for a rival musical performance to air simultaneously, courtesy of Turning Point USA (TPUSA.) Known for its fiery patriotism, TPUSA is touting an “All-American Halftime Show” as counterprogramming. It’s another example of a cultural divide bringing two visions of what it means to be “American.”
Why is Turning Point USA choosing to do this? Bad Bunny, who is known for big hits in the music area, is also known for being a polarizing and unfiltered political commentator. He has publicly criticized President Donald Trump, specifically his immigration policies, calling ICE officials numerous explicit names. Bad Bunny frequently takes politically charged digs in his music videos. Additionally, this will be the first time an American Super Bowl halftime show will be in Spanish, which sparked controversy among those who consider the Super Bowl to be an American pastime.
Last year’s halftime show was also heavily political, but instead of immigration controversies, Kendrick Lamar’s show touched on racial symbolism, civil rights and systemic injustice. Some audience members see back-to-back years of the NFL’s centerpiece performance being used as a political platform as two years too many. With a good number of fans pointing this out, Turning Point stepped in to set up a reverse ideological message.
The sentiment Turning Point USA strives for is an “All-American Halftime Show.” This strongly aligns with their own values, and this performance is just a new way they can get their message across and support those who feel the same way.
Turning Point was founded in 2012 by the late Charlie Kirk, who advocated traditional conservative principles like limited government, free markets and a tough-on-crime stance. Over the last decade, the nonprofit has transformed into one of the most influential youth conservative networks in the country. According to Turning Point USA Students, there are well over 800 college chapters that encourage students and youth to engage in political conversations.
A big reason for Turning Point’s idea is that Kirk, their founder, was assassinated in September. Under their new leadership, Erika Kirk, the organization has adopted a bolder and more defiant tone, calling out the “erosion of American values.”
What the show will entail is mostly under wraps for now, but speculation includes artists like Carrie Underwood, Phil Wickham, Lee Greenwood and many more. Turning Point’s stance is to bring conservative and traditional American principles back to the spotlight.
