Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show: Teddy Swims and Jelly Roll Gear Up to Challenge Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Spectacle
As the gridiron gods prepare for Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, a conservative thunderclap echoes from the heartland: Turning Point USA has unveiled “The All-American Halftime Show,” a soul-stirring counterpunch starring Teddy Swims and Jelly Roll, poised to drown out Bad Bunny’s beats with anthems of unyielding American spirit and redemption.
Turning Point USA’s bold announcement ignites a cultural firestorm against the NFL’s halftime choice. Founded by the late Charlie Kirk, the conservative nonprofit dropped the bombshell on October 9, 2025, via X, teasing “Performers and event details coming soon” for their faith-fueled extravaganza airing opposite the official Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The move stems from widespread conservative backlash to Bad Bunny’s selection as headliner, announced in September 2025, with critics like former President Donald Trump dismissing the Puerto Rican superstar as an unknown “crazy” pick. Trump quipped in an interview, “I’ve never heard of him,” amplifying calls for an “All-American” alternative rooted in “Faith, Family, and Freedom.” TPUSA’s show isn’t just counterprogramming—it’s a manifesto, promising to reclaim the halftime slot from what organizers decry as “woke” entertainment.
Teddy Swims and Jelly Roll emerge as the perfect duo to embody gritty, gospel-infused patriotism. Teddy Swims, the Atlanta-born soul sensation behind the chart-topping “Lose Control,” brings his raspy baritone and genre-blending prowess—mixing R&B, rock, and country—to the stage, fresh off collaborations like his recent duet with Adele on “My Heart Hurts.” Jelly Roll, the tattooed Tennessee troubadour whose real name is Jason DeFord, adds raw redemption tales from his hip-hop-to-country evolution, with hits like “Son of a Sinner” and “Need a Favor” earning him a 2024 CMA New Artist award. Their pairing promises a setlist fusing Swims’ soaring falsettos with Jelly Roll’s confessional lyrics, organizers say, delivering “true soul isn’t just sung—it’s lived.” Speculation runs high for covers of anthems like Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA,” once suggested by House Speaker Mike Johnson as the ideal Super Bowl fare.
The feud traces back to Bad Bunny’s provocative SNL stint, fueling the conservative uprising. During his October 4, 2025, hosting gig for the season 51 premiere, the reggaeton icon urged Americans to “learn Spanish” in four months to grasp his Super Bowl performance, a quip that lit conservative fuses. TPUSA contributor Jack Posobiec seized the moment, proposing a rival show, echoed by activist Riley Gaines who tweeted, “Bad Bunny told Americans they had 4 months to learn Spanish.” South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, now DHS head, vowed ICE presence at the event for “safety,” while Bad Bunny shrugged off critics on air: “I’m really excited… people all around the world who love my music are also happy.” This clash underscores broader tensions over immigration, diversity, and national pride, with TPUSA positioning their event as a bulwark against perceived cultural erosion.
Fans and pundits are electrified, dubbing it a potential eclipse of the NFL’s spectacle. Social media erupts with #AllAmericanHalftime trending nationwide, supporters hailing it as “the halftime show that could outshine the NFL itself.” One X user raved, “Teddy and Jelly Roll? That’s fireworks, faith, and freedom in one mic drop.” Conservative outlets like Fox News amplify the buzz, framing it as a stand for “traditional values” amid debates on performative patriotism. Critics, however, slam it as divisive stuntsmanship, with The Hill noting it echoes past counterprogramming like Puppy Bowls but with sharper political edges. Streaming projections already spike for the duo’s catalogs, hinting at viral potential rivaling past Super Bowl boosts.
Musically, the show vows a heartfelt fusion that transcends genres and generations. Expect Swims’ emotive ballads like “The Door” intertwining with Jelly Roll’s outlaw anthems such as “Save Me,” perhaps culminating in a patriotic medley under pyrotechnic skies. Production details remain under wraps, but insiders whisper of a Nashville-stage setup broadcast via streaming platforms, accessible nationwide for free to maximize reach. This isn’t spectacle for spectacle’s sake; it’s a narrative arc from personal struggle to collective triumph, mirroring the artists’ journeys—Swims from YouTube covers to global stages, Jelly Roll from prison yards to award podiums. As one organizer put it, “We’re reminding America that soul music was born in church pews and backroad bars, not boardrooms.”
Politically, this halftime hijack amplifies TPUSA’s mission in a polarized landscape. With roots in campus activism, the group leverages the Super Bowl’s 100-million-plus viewership to push conservative agendas, from anti-“woke” education to border security. The timing—post-2024 election—positions it as a victory lap for Trump allies, potentially drawing cameos from figures like Kid Rock, floated in fan wishlists for his bombastic flair. Detractors warn of deepened divides, but proponents see it as democratizing entertainment, offering an olive branch to heartland viewers alienated by urban-centric NFL bookings.
As February 8 looms, the stage is set for a showdown of souls and symbols. Will Swims and Jelly Roll’s raw authenticity outdraw Bad Bunny’s global flair? Early polls suggest a split audience, with red-state fans tuning in en masse. Hollywood Reporter calls it “uncharted territory,” but in America’s culture wars, every mic is a megaphone. This isn’t merely a concert; it’s a clarion call, proving that in the arena of ideas, even halftime can halftime the nation toward reckoning—or rally.
