Bad Bunny vs Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA: Millions shuffle between competing Super Bowl Halftime Shows

Millions of Americans had a choice in their hands on how they were going to spend the Super Bowl halftime, either by tuning into the Super Bowl 60 halftime show featuring Bad Bunny or Turning Point USA's "All-American Halftime Show", streamed on the right-wing organisation's social media platforms.

Late Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), received a sweet tribute at the start of the All-American halftime show for the Super Bowl game today. Interestingly, the show featuring Kid Rock started streaming 20 minutes before the Super Bowl's official show began. However, the show's headline performer, Kid Rock, did not start performing until after Bad Bunny's performance was already over.

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The show by the right-wing group also managed to draw millions of people, with Turning Point USA's YouTube page topping out at around 5 million viewers during the show's midpoint, before Kid Rock came out. Some of the other performers featured included Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett.

What led to the rivalry

Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny's booking for the official Super Bowl halftime show stirred major controversy among conservative figures in American politics, including Turning Point USA and the country's President Donald Trump. It is pertinent to note that the Puerto Rican singer performed his show entirely in Spanish, and the show is seen by many as a celebration of diversity amid the Trump administration's anti-immigrant actions.

Things became more intense after “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” became the first Spanish-language album to win the Grammy for album of the year, and in his acceptance speech, Bad Bunny did not shy away from addressing federal immigration operations at the awards. “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” Bad Bunny said during the ceremony. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell eventually defended the body's move to feature the Puerto Rican artist. “Bad Bunny is, and I think that was demonstrated last night, one of the great artists in the world,” Goodell added, referencing the star's comments at the Grammys. “And that’s one of the reasons we chose him," he said.

Meanwhile, Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet claims the alternative halftime show sidesteps political agenda. "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,” Kolvet said in a statement.

“We set out to provide an entertainment option that will be fun, excellent, and exciting for the entire family while millions are gathered together for the big game. These performers will deliver exactly that, and 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," the spokesperson furthered.

'Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible': Trump

Taking to his social media platform TruthSocial, US President Donald Trump called the Super Bowl Halftime Show "absolutely terrible ever". "The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! 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 who are watching from throughout the U.S.A. and all over the World," he wrote in his post.

"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 about what is going on in the REAL WORLD — And, by the way, the NFL should immediately replace its ridiculous new Kickoff Rule," he added.