The question hung in the air during Thursday’s White House press briefing: would the former president favor the official Super Bowl halftime show, headlined by Bad Bunny, or the alternative performance organized by Turning Point USA featuring Kid Rock? The answer, delivered by press secretary Karoline Leavitt, was swift and definitive.
“I think the president would much prefer a Kid Rock performance over Bad Bunny, I must say that,” Leavitt stated, revealing a clear preference. This wasn’t a neutral observation; it hinted at a deeper cultural divide and a pointed rejection of the mainstream entertainment choice.
The former president is expected to spend part of Sunday at Mar-a-Lago, enjoying the Super Bowl festivities before returning to Washington. The choice of which broadcast to watch, however, carries a symbolic weight, signaling alignment with a particular vision of America.
Meanwhile, Bad Bunny himself was celebrating a major victory, having just secured the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. His acceptance speech, a passionate declaration of identity – “ICE out,” and a rejection of dehumanizing labels – immediately ignited controversy.
Bad Bunny’s outspoken political views have drawn fire from conservative circles, fueling the backlash that ultimately led to Turning Point USA’s decision to create a competing halftime experience. The alternative show, anchored by Kid Rock, represents a deliberate counter-programming effort.
This isn’t the first time the former president has publicly criticized the Super Bowl’s entertainment choices. He previously told the New York Post he wouldn’t attend, explicitly citing Bad Bunny and Green Day as reasons for his absence.
“I’m anti-them,” he declared, framing his opposition as a moral stand against what he perceives as divisive and hateful performances. He argued the choices were “terrible” and served only to “sow hatred,” revealing a deep-seated disapproval of the artists’ messages.
The unfolding situation transforms a simple sporting event into a cultural battleground, highlighting the widening chasm between differing ideologies and the power of entertainment to ignite political debate. The choice of halftime show has become a statement in itself.
