While that was going on, Turning Point USA, the organization set up by the late Charlie Kirk<\/a>, offered its own ‘All American Halftime Show’ for viewers to tune into, which was marketed on celebrating ‘faith, family, and freedom’.<\/p>\n Kirk, a right-wing political activist, was fatally shot in September 2025 while debating college students in Utah.<\/p>\n Streaming on Turning Point USA’s YouTube channel, the show featured Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett and was described by Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, as ‘incredible<\/a>‘.<\/p>\n Maher sent Kid Rock a text message after the singer performed in the alternative halftime show, which he detailed in an interview<\/a> with Elex Michaelson.<\/p>\n “You know, I liked the song he sang,” Maher began.<\/p>\n “I said it was a good song. The content of it \u2014 not my cup of tea. But you know, I think he writes a great song. I\u2019m a big fan of his music<\/a>.”<\/p>\n The comedian continued: “The whole thing \u2014 his whole show was about Christian \u2026 it was a very big Christian [thing].”<\/p>\n Maher then revealed the text message he sent to Kid Rock, which read: “Wouldn\u2019t it have been a little more Christian to let Mr. Bunny have his moment?”<\/p>\n The 70-year-old was asked if Kid Rock had responded to the message, to which Maher said: “I just said, \u2018Next time we talk, we should talk about whether it would have been a little more Christian to let Mr. Bunny have his moment’.”<\/p>\n While some accused Kid Rock of lip syncing<\/a> during the performance, Erika Kirk took to social media to praise the singer and others involved in the Turning Point USA halftime show.<\/p>\n Captioning a video including clips from Charlie’s life, Erika penned: “The @TPUSA All-American Halftime Show was so incredible. Charlie would\u2019ve absolutely loved it.<\/p>\n “Thank you to the millions that tuned in. I\u2019m so proud of our entire team, staff, and the artists who believed in the vision and mission @KidRock @brantleygilbert @leebrice @GabbyBarrett.”<\/p>\n She added: “It\u2019s okay to love Jesus and your country. Ultimately, this is what it\u2019s all about, making Heaven crowded.<\/p>\n “I love you Charlie baby, this is all for you.”<\/p>\n How did Bad Bunny’s halftime show viewership compare to Turning Point USA’s?<\/p>\n NBC announced that Bad Bunny’s historic set averaged 128.2 million viewers between 8:15pm and 8:30pm on February 8. Unfortunately, he was unable to knock last year’s headliner, Kendrick Lamar, off the top spot (133.5 million).<\/p>\n![\"Latin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS1pbWFnZXMuY29udGVudHN0YWNrLmNvbS92My9hc3NldHMvYmx0OTQ5ZWE4ZTE2ZTQ2MzA0OS9ibHQ2ZjFmMzcw.webp\"\/)
Latin musician Bad Bunny was the star of the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show (Patrick T. Fallon \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Bill](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS1pbWFnZXMuY29udGVudHN0YWNrLmNvbS92My9hc3NldHMvYmx0OTQ5ZWE4ZTE2ZTQ2MzA0OS9ibHQ4YWFiNTQ1.webp\"\/)
Bill Maher sent Kid Rock a text message after his alternate halftime show (Dia Dipasupil\/FilmMagic)<\/p>\n![\"Kid](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS1pbWFnZXMuY29udGVudHN0YWNrLmNvbS92My9hc3NldHMvYmx0OTQ5ZWE4ZTE2ZTQ2MzA0OS9ibHRhMjc5NTg5.webp\"\/)
Kid Rock performed at Turning Point USA’s alternate halftime show (YouTube\/ Turning Point USA)<\/p>\n