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Zach Bryan has entered the 2026 Super Bowl halftime battle chat, slamming Turning Point USA for putting on a rival show during Bad Bunny’s official performance.
“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, 29, allegedly wrote in a since-deleted Instagram Story post on Monday, February 9, according to Fact Post and Country Chord.
One day prior, the “Pink Skies” singer shared an Instagram Story directed at the Turning Point USA All-American Halftime Show headliner Kid Rock.
In the Sunday, February 8, photo, someone tried to cover their TV screen with their hand as Bad Bunny, 31, took the stage during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, while the user watched Kid Rock’s alternative show on their phone.
“What Kid Rock actually thinks is happening across America,” Bryan captioned the post, taking a jab at the rocker.
The battle of the halftime shows has been making waves since fall 2025, after Bad Bunny was announced as the headliner for Super Bowl 60.
While some fans were excited to see the rapper on such a big stage, the NFL received backlash by conservatives, media pundits and Republican politicians — including President Donald Trump — who argued Bad Bunny wasn’t American or American “enough” because he hails from Puerto Rico and performs primarily in Spanish. (Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and Puerto Ricans are United States citizens.) .
Amid the backlash, Turning Point USA, founded by the late Charlie Kirk and now helmed by his widow Erika Kirk, announced in October 2025 that the right-wing organization would host an alternative halftime show.
According to Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet, the show was meant to serve as “an opportunity for all Americans to enjoy a halftime show with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family, and freedom.”
Kid Rock, 55, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett were all announced as acts performing at the secondary show.
Ahead of the Super Bowl, Kid Rock addressed the alleged rivalry between the two shows, saying in a February 2 statement, “We plan to play great songs for folks who love America.”
He explained, “We’re approaching this show like David and Goliath. Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible … or is it?”
The “All Summer Long” singer then spoke about Bad Bunny and took a jab at what he claimed was the singer’s planned performance. “He’s said he’s having a dance party, wearing a dress, and singing in Spanish? Cool. We plan to play great songs for folks who love America,” Kid Rock added.
When it came time to actually perform on Sunday during the break between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots football game both shows had fans tune in to show support. (The Seahawks beat the Patriots 29-13.)
Bad Bunny made history by singing the entire show in Spanish. He brought out surprise guests like Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin to perform, while celebrities like Alix Earle, Jessica Alba and Pedro Pascal were spotted dancing on the field as part of his lavish performance.
Toward the end of halftime, Bad Bunny was seen holding a football that read, “Together, we are America.”
Bad Bunny also gave a shout-out to all of the Americas, including Latin America, the Caribbean, the United States and Canada, amid controversy surrounding ICE raids in the U.S. that are targeting illegal immigration.
“The only thing more powerful than hate is love,” a giant message on the stadium jumbotron read as Bad Bunny exited the field.
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