Millions of NFL fans switched off Bad Bunny to tune into Turning Point USA’s ‘All-American’ Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday night.
The NFL polarized fans with its decision to choose the Puerto Rican rapper and his Spanish-only songs for the big game in San Francisco, and many voted with their fingers to turn off NBC and load up YouTube instead.
Kid Rock headlined the alternative MAGA halftime show, with Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett also performing.
The initial plan was for the show to also be broadcast on X, but plans were thrown into chaos just minutes before it was due to start and the stream was pulled.
In a statement, Turning Point USA said: ‘UPDATE: Due to licensing restrictions, we are unable to stream The All-American Halftime Show on X. Head on over to our YouTube channel tonight around 8PM ET to watch the full show.’
And that’s exactly what many fans did, with the stream peaking at a remarkable 4.5 million viewers midway through the show.
The show started with the host claiming ‘this one’s for you Charlie’, honoring Turning Point USA’s late founder Charlie Kirk, who was murdered in September.
A rocky rendition of the Stars and Stripes was then aired, with the viewership climbing to over 3 million fans watching ‘Real America’ in action.
In a statement earlier in the week, Kid Rock had told fans: ‘We’re approaching this show like David and Goliath. Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible… or is it?’
In a statement to Fox News, TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet said: ‘The All-American Halftime Show is an opportunity for all Americans to enjoy a halftime show with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family, and freedom.
‘We can’t wait to watch the incredible show they’re about to put on. We know millions around the country will be watching too.’
Bad Bunny received a huge backlash from some fans as he prepared to headline the official show in Santa Clara on Sunday night, with President Trump among them.
‘I don’t know who he is,’ Trump told Newsmax last Fall. ‘I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s crazy. And then they blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.’
Turning Point USA was founded by the late Charlie Kirk, and his widow, Erika, has vowed to continue to promote his message after he was assassinated in September while taking part in an event at Utah Valley University.
Days after his death, she released a video saying: ‘The evildoers responsible for my husband’s assassination have no idea what they have done.
‘They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith and of God’s merciful love.
‘If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea. You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world.’
Bunny has been extremely vocal in his criticism of ICE, also opting to avoid scheduling US tour dates over concerns his Latino fans could be detained while attending the shows.
