Americans Have No Kind Words for Erika Kirk After Her Half‑Time Show Flops Terribly
In the immediate aftermath of Super Bowl LX, what was meant to be a patriotic, faith‑based counter‑programming event instead became one of the most mocked and criticized moments of the entire broadcast weekend. Erika Kirk, acting head of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) and widow of its late founder Charlie Kirk, came under intense fire online after the “All‑American Halftime Show” — a rival broadcast scheduled opposite the NFL’s official halftime performance — failed to draw nearly the attention or acclaim its organizers had hoped for.
A Show Designed as an Alternative — But That Failed to Compete
Turning Point USA’s All‑American Halftime Show was announced late last year as a patriotic alternative to the NFL’s official halftime performance by internationally acclaimed artist Bad Bunny. The TPUSA event promised country and Americana‑themed performances by artists including Kid Rock, Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, and Gabby Barrett, framed around themes of faith, family, and freedom — a deliberate contrast to Bad Bunny’s cultural and artistic presentation.
However, the reality on game day was starkly different from the boosterism that preceded it.
The official NFL halftime show headlined by Bad Bunny smashed viewership records, reportedly attracting over 135 million viewers, becoming one of the most‑watched halftime performances in history. In contrast, the TPUSA livestream peaked at around 6 million simultaneous viewers on YouTube — roughly one‑twentieth of the audience for the NFL broadcast.
Backlash on Social Media: Memes, Mockery, and Fierce Criticism
As the numbers poured in, Americans took to social media with little sympathy for the conservative alternative. Online critics compared the two events relentlessly, pointing out the vast audience disparity and dismissing the TPUSA effort as uninspired and poorly executed.
Some of the harshest reactions zeroed in on Erika Kirk’s comments after the event. Kirk praised the show on social platform X (formerly Twitter), dubbing it “so incredible” and “what Charlie would have loved,” and thanking “the millions that tuned in.” But that optimism clashed with reality — many users fact‑checked the viewership figures, mocking the contrast: “144 million watched Bad Bunny vs only 6 million watched this,” one commenter wrote.
Other responses ranged from sarcastic retorts about the production quality to personal jabs at Kirk herself:
“It’s giving high‑school talent show,” one wrote, comparing the event unfavorably to mainstream halftime spectacles.
Another chimed in, “She is so irrelevant… I couldn’t care less about this.”
Some even dubbed her “MAGA Barbie” in satirical fashion.
Even Conservative Commentators Turned Critical
The backlash wasn’t limited to liberal or neutral viewers. Conservative commentator Candace Owens, previously aligned with TPUSA’s cultural messaging, openly questioned the integrity of the show’s reported metrics, suggesting the viewership numbers may have been inflated by heavy ad spending or promotional pushes. Owens declared that her community had “lost the Super Bowl narrative,” acknowledging Bad Bunny’s overwhelming success and ridiculing the conservative attempts to challenge it.
Owens’ critique underscored a growing split within conservative circles about how best to engage with mainstream culture — an argument that spilled into the public eye during and after the halftime shows.
Technical Issues and Performance Problems Didn’t Help
The critical blow was compounded by reports that Kid Rock’s performance — a headliner for the TPUSA event — was plagued by technical confusion. Some viewers accused him of lip‑syncing, though he later defended himself, claiming the pre‑recorded nature of the performance and “broadcast syncing issues” were to blame.
Meanwhile, Bad Bunny’s official show dominated headlines with multiple cultural talking points, from historic Latino representation to high‑production choreography and special guest appearances, further cementing its place as the night’s defining entertainment moment.
Absence of Erika Kirk and Divided Reactions
Adding to the unusual tone of the event was the absence of Erika Kirk herself from the performance, even though she had been prominently associated with the event’s organization. Her lack of on‑site presence led to speculation and criticism, though she later issued a message lauding the show’s faith‑based mission and offering tribute to her late husband.
Despite Kirk’s intent to emphasize values of patriotism and faith, many online users weren’t persuaded, instead using her comments as material for ridicule. Some posts suggested that the event’s attempt at thematic differentiation came off as tone‑deaf or out of step with the broader cultural moment.
What This Says About Cultural Politics in America
The fervent reactions illustrate a larger dynamic at play in American cultural and political discourse. Major entertainment events like the Super Bowl halftime show have increasingly become sites of cultural contention, with different groups attempting to claim or challenge narrative control. The attempt by TPUSA and Erika Kirk to insert a conservative alternative into one of the biggest televised events of the year reflects escalating efforts to use pop culture as a platform for ideological messaging — even when that effort clashes spectacularly with mainstream public appetite.
Conclusion: A Hard Lesson for TPUSA and Erika Kirk
In the end, Erika Kirk’s foray into halftime show politics was met with wide criticism, social media mockery, and comparative analysis showing just how overwhelmingly the official Super Bowl halftime performance — in this case by Bad Bunny — dominated the cultural moment. As Americans continue to weigh in online, the verdict seems clear: this particular attempt at cultural counterprogramming fell flat for many, leaving Kirk and her event subject to scorn rather than celebration.
