Turning Point USA announced on Thursday, October 9, that it would be running “counterprogramming” after Conservatives get riled up about the selection of Bad Bunny, advertising "No “woke” garbage. Just TRUTH. Just FREEDOM. Just AMERICA."
Another spectacle
Turning Point USA announced on its social media Thursday morning that it would be hosting an “All-American Halftime Show” to run parallel to the NFL’s halftime show. The announcement does not outline what artists and performers will be present, but teases that “performers and event details coming soon.”
Faith, Family, Freedom, and… Football
The post linked to a website tailor-made for the event. The site boasts that the event will celebrate “Faith, Family, Freedom, and… Football.” The site also features a form to receive information about the event. The form asks fans what genres they would like to see, with a wide variety of genres, including an option for “Anything in English.”
No woke garbage
The website also offers the option for fans to donate to the cause, claiming “This is the line in the sand. No retreat. No apologies. Not one inch more. No “woke” garbage. Just TRUTH. Just FREEDOM. Just AMERICA.”
Bad Bunny sparking controversy
The NFL’s selection of Bad Bunny, a Spanish-speaking artist from Puerto Rico, has sparked anger amongst the MAGA crowd. What most of that group struggles to understand is that, being from Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny is an American citizen.
An inaccurate portrayal
Surprisingly, considering the narrative being pushed, Bad Bunny has also been public about his faith. His foray into musical artistry started in the church, where he claimed he realized he was “the best in the choir, and worked the hardest.”
Family and Faith
His mother is also a devout Catholic, and although Bad Bunny has admitted that he no longer attends church regularly, he told Vanity Fair in a 2023 interview that “God is everywhere.”
A second appearance
Bad Bunny has already performed in a Super Bowl; he shared the stage with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira in 2020. The NFL has featured 11 artists from Latin America in the Super Bowl since 1995 (including Bad Bunny). This is the first time that nationwide controversy has resulted from the decision.
The Super Bowl is scheduled for February 8, 2026.