Musician Kid Rock defended his upcoming performance at Turning Point USA's (TPUSA) "All-American Halftime Show" on Friday, saying the event is rooted in celebrating America rather than spreading hate.
The conservative group is hosting a "family-friendly" alternative halftime show on Sunday to counter the NFL's official Super Bowl LX halftime performance featuring Latin music superstar Bad Bunny.
"I think I speak for Turning Point and all the artists involved, that none of us are approaching this with any hate in our hearts at all," Kid Rock said during an appearance on Fox & Friends. "It's just a love for our base and love for music, our country."
The event has drawn criticism following scrutiny of some of Kid Rock's past lyrics, particularly from his 2001 song "Cool, Daddy, Cool," which references underage girls.
The competing halftime shows highlight deepening cultural divisions in American entertainment. More than 100 million viewers are expected to tune in to the official Super Bowl halftime show, while TPUSA's alternative event reflects conservative frustration with mainstream entertainment choices.
Conservative lawmakers and pundits have criticized Bad Bunny's selection, with President Donald Trump calling the decision "absolutely ridiculous" and declaring himself "anti-them." Some critics have questioned whether Bad Bunny is American, despite the Puerto Rican artist being a U.S. citizen.
While some conservatives have attacked the announcement, fans of the global megastar praised the selection. Born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, the Puerto Rican artist is one of the most commercially dominant artists of the streaming era. He has been Spotify's most-streamed global artist four times.
The NFL called him "the most popular artist on Earth" when announcing his upcoming performance, underscoring his commercial power and cross-cultural influence.
Kid Rock will headline the TPUSA event alongside Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett.
The showcase, which the organization describes as "family-friendly, values-driven," will be streamed across Turning Point's digital platforms and partner channels including Real America's Voice and OAN.
The Detroit native, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, argued that many Americans feel underserved by the entertainment industry. "There's a big portion of this country, like it or not, that's underserved entertainment-wise," he told the Fox & Friends hosts on Friday. "We're just [going to] go play for our base. You know, people who love America, love football, love Jesus."
Following the announcement, critics highlighted lyrics from Kid Rock's songs that contradict TPUSA's stated values of "faith, family, and freedom." In "Cool, Daddy, Cool," Rock sings: "Young ladies, young ladies, I like 'em underage, see some say that's statutory (But I say it's mandatory)." Another song, "Lowlife (Living the Highlife)" from 2007, includes lyrics: "I got kids I've never seen/ And their momma's 17."
Kid Rock did not address the lyric controversy in his Fox News interview but posted a quote from late NBA great Kobe Bryant on his Instagram account alluding to the backlash: "Learn to love the hate. Embrace it. Enjoy it. You earned it. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and everyone should have one about you. Haters are a good problem to have. Nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones."
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the selection Monday, calling Bad Bunny "one of the great artists in the world."
The TPUSA halftime show will be streamed online during the Super Bowl halftime window.
Turning Point USA has said the broadcast will be available across its digital platforms and shared through partner channels, such as Real America's Voice and OAN, making it accessible on mobile devices, computers and smart TVs.
Viewers are expected to find the livestream through the organization's official website and social media accounts as kickoff then halftime approach.
Both halftime shows will take place around 8 p.m. ET on Sunday during the Super Bowl's halftime break.
Kid Rock teased he would perform "one of the greatest written songs," adding new elements to a track written by a major country artist.