While many across the U.S continue to praise Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny’s performance at the Super Bowl LX, conservative group Turning Point USA launched their own halftime show in response as an attempt at a “counter-culture pushback,” featuring Kid Rock as their main headline act. Despite the support from public figures such as President Donald Trump and others in the Republican space, a huge outcry on social media erupted against their protest.
Many prominent artists, including popular country superstar Zach Bryan, vocally expressed their discontent.
“I don’t care what side you’re on, a bunch of adults throwing temper tantrums and their own halftime show is embarrassing as hell and the most cringe s— on the planet,” Bryan said.
Country artist Kacey Musgraves also threw her thoughts into the conversation, praising Bad Bunny while simultaneously criticizing Kid Rock.
“Well. That made me feel more proudly American than anything Kid Rock has ever done,” Musgraves stated, highlighting the elements of Bad Bunny’s performance that focused on love, unity, and peace amongst all the nations in the Americas.
“Not live. Not authentic. Just noise. That’s what the ‘alternative halftime show’ delivered,” geopolitical analyst Brian Allen tweeted, critiquing the ‘90s rock-rapper’s show as simply a “reactionary” creation compared to Bad Bunny’s “meticulously put together” show.
Late night host Jimmy Kimmel would also continue with similar criticism by adding it “Was not a good program,” and that Kid Rock’s performance was a “lip sync battle with himself.”
Many users on social media were also quick to point out some of Kid Rock’s controversial lyrics in the past. His song, “Cool Daddy Cool,” resurfaced due to lyrics alluding to underage women. With the song being made for the 2001 kids movie “Omosis Jones”.
Many users on X criticized the rapper for the irony of his past lyrics.
“Thinking about how interesting it is that Kid Rock has become a ‘protect our kids’ conservative when he once put this line into a song for a kids’ film,” said one X user. “It’s funny how MAGA has Kid Rock as their halftime Super Bowl performer when he literally has young girls in his song lyrics,” another user noted.
As the discussion continues to grow online, this flashpoint of an argument demonstrates the wider divide within the American zeitgeist. Yet, also demonstrating a growing discontent among many in the public, growing tired of the antics of the American right, even from traditionally conservative strongholds such as the country music community.
