A recent online poll by TMZ was meant to spark discussion after the dueling Super Bowl LX halftime performances, pitting the NFL‘s official show, headlined by Bad Bunny, against an alternative “All-American Halftime Show” featuring Kid Rock.
There is little doubt that the results weren’t exactly what the left-leaning gossip outlet expected.
Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny delivered the main halftime show. His performance was predominantly in Spanish and advocated open-border policies, listing mostly Latin American countries and concluding, “Together, we are America.”
Kid Rock, by contrast, sang about the greatness of America and urged people to dust off their Bibles. He paid tribute to TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk by performing lyrics emphasizing love and closeness: “If you’re gonna love somebody, Hold ’em as long and as strong and as close as you can… Until you can’t.”
Rock and the mostly country lineup weren’t ever going to come close to the ratings Bunny drew, based on timing, precedence, and availability of the show. But they did siphon off upwards of 16 million viewers.
Kid Rock Dominates TMZ Poll: 2-to-1 Victory Over Bad Bunny Sparks Backlash Against Official Halftime Show
TMZ, covering the rival shows, posted a poll on X asking followers: “Who had the better halftime show — Bad Bunny or Kid Rock?”
The post received nearly 4 million views, and just under 400,000 people took part and voted. Suffice it to say, Harvey Levin and his over-glorified paparazzi didn’t see this coming.
Kid Rock smoked the Bad Bunny by a nearly 2-to-1 margin.
Who had the better halftime show — Bad Bunny or Kid Rock?
— TMZ (@TMZ) February 9, 2026
Comments on social media emphasized NFL fans’ desire for English-language performances and patriotic elements during the Super Bowl. Some described the TPUSA event as a successful counter-programming option for those seeking a different vibe.
On that, there is no doubt. The music styles were vastly different, both appealing to fans in their own right. What separated the two was Bunny’s insistence on incorporating political messages while Kid Rock focused on the music, man.
Isn’t that what a halftime show should be about?
READ MORE: Hunter Hess Clarifies Views on Representing America Amid Backlash
The media mocked the TPUSA show, mocked Kid Rock for trying to go up against Bad Bunny, and mocked fans who just ‘don’t get’ the musical genius of Bad Bunny. But the viewership, along with these poll results, shows that Rock’s show resonated strongly with certain demographics.
And they tossed it together in under two months’ time. Imagine if they had an entire year to plan.
Football is king right now, and nobody is going to make a serious dent in any Super Bowl halftime shows for the foreseeable future. And Commissioner Roger Goodell is hyper-focused on international expansion, motivated by the almighty dollar. He’ll continue to choose divisive artists who promote that cause.
But if the TPUSA show continues to progress, he might want to take another look and stop alienating half his fan base.