When it came to their Super Bowl halftime show counterprogramming, Turning Point USA reportedly wasn’t interested in doing it live.
The political organization’s All-American Halftime Show, which streamed on Sunday, February 8, was pre-taped in Atlanta, according to Variety.
Featuring performances from Kid Rock, Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert and Gabby Barrett, the show was meant to give fans a separate viewing option from Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show, which became a lightning rod of controversy for many conservative groups.
Turning Point USA’s show aired on YouTube, as well as various other networks, shortly after 8 p.m. ET and lasted for 35 minutes in front of a sparse crowd.
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The show appeared to peak with 5.7 million concurrent viewers on YouTube.
However, the All-American Halftime Show was hit with a major setback shortly before it started.
“UPDATE: Due to licensing restrictions, we are unable to stream The All-American Halftime Show on X,” the organization announced via X on Sunday, just hours before the show.
In addition to streaming on YouTube, the show also aired on conservative networks Daily Wire+, Real America’s Voice, TBN, CHARGE!, The National News Desk, NTD.com and OAN News.
The show was put together by Turning Point USA, the political organization founded by late activist Charlie Kirk and now run by his wife, Erika Kirk.
Erika, 37, did not appear to be in attendance at the All-American Halftime Show, but she voiced her support on social media after.
“The @TPUSA All-American Halftime Show was so incredible,” she wrote via X on Sunday. “Charlie would’ve absolutely loved it. Thank you to the millions that tuned in. I’m so proud of our entire team, staff, and the artists who believed in the vision and mission @KidRock @brantleygilbert @leebrice @GabbyBarrett_. It’s okay to love Jesus and your country.”
She added, “Ultimately, this is what it’s all about, making Heaven crowded…I love you Charlie baby, this is all for you.”
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Bad Bunny’s selection as Super Bowl LX halftime show performer was criticized by many in the world of conservative politics, including President Donald Trump.
Despite Trump’s assertion that he would not watch Bad Bunny’s show, the president took to social media immediately after the performance to criticize it.
“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER!” Trump, 71, posted on Truth Social. “It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence. Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World.”
He continued, “This ‘Show’ is just a ‘slap in the face’ to our Country, which is setting new standards and records every single day — including the Best Stock Market and 401(k)s in History! There is nothing inspirational about this mess of a Halftime Show and watch, it will get great reviews from the Fake News Media, because they haven’t got a clue of what is going on in the REAL WORLD.”
