Country star Zach Bryan mocks Kid Rock and Turning Point USA’s patriotic Super Bowl alternative as “embarrassing,” siding with anti-ICE performer Bad Bunny in a blatant attack on conservative values.
TPUSA Launches Patriotic Counter to NFL’s Globalist Pick
Turning Point USA announced its “All-American Halftime Show” in early February 2026, lineup including Kid Rock, Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, and Gabby Barrett. The event responded directly to the NFL’s selection of Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican artist who has made prior anti-Trump and anti-ICE statements, at the GRAMMYs. TPUSA emphasized themes of faith, family, and freedom, countering what conservatives see as the NFL’s push toward globalization at the expense of American traditions. President Trump’s border security victories made this clash timely, highlighting resistance to open-border influences in the entertainment industry.
Zach Bryan calls Turning Point USA’s Halftime show “embarrassing” after a former fan called him a “sell out b*tch” for supporting Bad Bunny:
“I don’t care what side you’re on, a bunch of adult throwing temper tantrums…the most cringe sh*t on the planet” pic.twitter.com/UEtd6isU9u
— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) February 9, 2026
Zach Bryan’s Mockery Ignites Fan Backlash
Zach Bryan posted Instagram videos ridiculing the TPUSA show, calling it “embarrassing as hell” and “the most cringe s— on the planet.” He depicted performers as adults throwing temper tantrums, clarifying a satirical clip with friend Harley Carmichael. Bryan reposted Bad Bunny’s anti-ICE GRAMMY comments supportively and reacted negatively to Kid Rock’s January Senate testimony on Ticketmaster issues. Fans flooded his DMs with criticism, which he dismissed as messages from “middle-aged douchebags.”
Kacey Musgraves amplified the attacks on X, stating Bad Bunny’s performance made her feel “more proudly American than anything Kid Rock has ever done.” This reveals deepening rifts in country music, where rising stars like Bryan shift from apolitical roots toward progressive stances, alienating traditional fans who value patriotism.
Super Bowl LX pitted the Seahawks against the Patriots on February 8, 2026. Bad Bunny’s official halftime show closed with “Together We Are America,” drawing massive global streams as the most-streamed artist. TPUSA’s simultaneous stream underscored commercial disparities but boosted conservative visibility against the NFL’s Roc Nation booking, which was under Jay-Z.
NFL’s Choice Fuels Culture War Divisions
The NFL faced conservative outrage over Bad Bunny due to his political comments and Spanish-language focus, amid Puerto Rico misinformation as “not American.” The NFL pursues international expansion with nine games abroad next year, prioritizing reach in Latin America over U.S. heartland fans. TPUSA positioned their event as a stand for American values, echoing President Trump’s successful immigration crackdowns that ended catch-and-release and boosted border security.
Viewership gap—135 million for Bad Bunny versus TPUSA’s 4-6 million—highlights media bias favoring globalist agendas. Yet grassroots support shown in Bryan’s DM backlash proves that everyday Americans reject Hollywood-style mockery of patriots like Kid Rock, a Trump ally fighting ticketing monopolies.
Implications for Country Music and Conservative Pushback
Bryan’s attacks fracture country music fanbases, polarizing supporters of Bryan and Kid Rock while pressuring artists to align politically. Short-term social media feuds boost TPUSA’s awareness despite low numbers; over the long term, they pressure the NFL to offer more American-centric programming. Under President Trump, such cultural battles reinforce victories against illegal immigration and government overreach, reminding us that true patriots defend faith, family, and freedom against elitist dismissals.
Sources:
Saving Country Music: And Then There Were Two: The Super Bowl Halftime Dilemma