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On Thursday (Feb. 5) Kid Rock shared a quote attributed to late NBA star Kobe Bryant as he prepares to perform at a controversial alternative Super Bowl halftime event organized by Turning Point USA.
In a post on X, Kid Rock shared a message labeled “Mamba Mentality,” encouraging people to embrace criticism and negative attention. The post comes days before his appearance at Turning Point USA’s “All-American Halftime Show,” which is scheduled to air during the same time as the official Super Bowl halftime performance.
The event was announced earlier this month as a response to the NFL’s decision to feature Bad Bunny as the main halftime headliner. Turning Point USA has promoted the alternative show as a celebration of traditional values and English-language music, framing it as a counter-programming effort.
Along with Kid Rock, the lineup includes Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, and Gabby Barrett. Critics, however, have described the event as politically motivated and divisive, pointing to the organization’s history of conservative activism and its public opposition to Bad Bunny’s selection.
Bad Bunny’s appointment as halftime performer sparked debate in some conservative circles, particularly over his past remarks on immigration and his Latino fan base. During the 2026 Grammy Awards, he spoke out against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, calling for empathy and unity.
Kid Rock, a longtime supporter of President Donald Trump, has previously voiced support for stricter immigration policies and federal enforcement actions. His participation in the alternative show has drawn renewed attention to his political views.
As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, the competing halftime events have become part of a broader cultural and political debate, highlighting divisions over representation, politics, and the role of entertainment in public life.
SOURCE: Billboard