(NewsNation) — The late Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA will offer an alternative Super Bowl halftime show in response to backlash against the NFL’s selection of Puerto Rican recording artist Bad Bunny, a spokesman for the conservative organization said.
Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” confirmed the work in progress Wednesday during the “NewsNation Town Hall,” in response to an audience member’s question.
Kolvet said the plan “memed itself into existence” after he and another Kirk associate, Jack Posobiec, were on a streaming show and joked about presenting alternative programming. He said the viral audience response and inquiries from corporate media suggested the concept was worth pursuing.
Bad Bunny’s music streams soar since 2026 Super Bowl halftime show news
“I think it was just an organic outflow of the fact that a lot of people are offended at maybe some of the programming that is being planned for the Super Bowl and maybe some of the commentary that’s come off of that,” Kolvet said.
He did not specifically mention Bad Bunny, but conservative pundits have criticized the NFL’s choice to have the singer headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. Most of Bad Bunny’s songs are primarily in Spanish, and he has said he won’t tour the mainland U.S. over concerns his fans could be targeted by federal immigration authorities.
Another reason for the alternative offering, Kolvet said, is that the stream of Kirk’s memorial service, which featured worship music, attracted more than 100 million people.
“It was a very uniting moment for a lot of people — maybe not for everybody, but for a lot of people,” he said.
Kolvet said Turning Point isn’t ready to announce names of performers for the alternative halftime show.
Kirk, 31, was killed during a Sept. 10 appearance at Utah Valley University in Orem. Authorities say the man accused of shooting Kirk targeted him for political reasons.
