Just hours after social media tore into his performance, Kid Rock finally had something to say.
And instead of directly answering critics, he chose a short, promotional message that only fueled the debate further.
The rocker had headlined the “All-American Halftime Show,” a conservative-leaning counter-event organized by Turning Point USA. The concert ran opposite the official Super Bowl halftime spectacle, where Bad Bunny delivered his widely discussed performance.
Viewers immediately began comparing the two.
It did not go quietly.
Mockery spread fast
Clips circulated within minutes.
Some critics labeled the event “Temu halftime.”
Others called it the “redneck halftime show.”
A few joked it looked like it was staged in a discount store parking lot.
One viral comment summed up the mood brutally:
“It’s like handing toddlers an iPad so everyone else can watch the real show.”
Even celebrities jumped in, including Kacey Musgraves, who praised Bad Bunny while taking a swipe at Rock.
What the show was meant to be
The concert wasn’t only counter-programming.
It also served as a tribute to TPUSA’s late founder, Charlie Kirk.
At one point, host Jack Posobiec opened with, “This one’s for you, Charlie.”
Rock performed portions of his own hits and later offered an acoustic cover of “’Til You Can’t,” adding a new verse with a religious message honoring Kirk’s memory.
Supporters described the moment as heartfelt.
Critics were not in the mood for nuance.
Imagine Kid Rock being your political savior in 2026
— The Ghost of Whittingham Past (@IllumiUTEE) February 9, 2026
Accusations began flying
Online, some viewers claimed Rock appeared to lip-sync.
Others mocked the production value.
Memes rolled in faster than explanations.
Then came his response
The day after the show, Rock posted on X.
Instead of arguing with detractors, he promoted the upcoming release of his studio version of the song, thanking its writers for allowing him to record it.
The post exploded — pulling in massive engagement from both fans and critics.
And the replies?
Relentless.
One user wrote they had skipped it to watch Bad Bunny.
Another said lip-syncing turned them off immediately.
Someone else nitpicked his grammar.
The pile-on continued.
If you enjoyed our version of “Til Ya Can’t” on The TPUSA All American Halftime – Our studio recording of it will be available to purchase or stream at midnight tonight!
A big thank you to @codyjohnson and the songwriters Ben Stennis and Matt Rogers for giving me there blessing… pic.twitter.com/KzKUfKHebh
— KidRock (@KidRock) February 9, 2026
But it wasn’t all negative
Plenty of supporters showed up too.
Some said they had already replayed the tribute multiple times.
Others praised the visible emotion in Rock’s performance and thanked him for honoring Kirk.
For them, the backlash missed the point.
Meanwhile, comparisons kept dominating
As arguments raged, attention remained fixed on how different the two halftime experiences felt.
One side viewed Rock’s show as patriotic and intimate.
The other saw it as unnecessary counter-programming that couldn’t compete with the spectacle happening on the NFL stage.
Either way, everyone was talking.
The real outcome?
Whether people loved it or hated it, the alternative show achieved something many events struggle for:
Total visibility.
Because in the age of social media, being debated can be just as powerful as being praised.
0 Comments