Zach Bryan Calls Political Halftime Countershow “Cringe as Hell”

Country star Zach Bryan didn’t hold back when weighing in on the political counterprogramming that aired during this year’s Super Bowl halftime.

On Sunday, Feb. 8, the 2026 Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show was headlined by Bad Bunny, delivering a high-energy performance that quickly lit up social media. But while millions tuned in, conservative organization Turning Point USA staged its own alternative event — the “All-American Halftime Show” — headlined by Kid Rock.

Bryan, 29, made it clear which side of the divide he found more compelling.

The “Oklahoma Smokeshow” singer shared — and later deleted — an Instagram Stories post poking fun at Kid Rock’s show. In the image, someone is seen watching Kid Rock perform on their phone while physically blocking Bad Bunny’s halftime performance on a TV screen.

“What kid rock actually thinks is happening across America,” Bryan wrote over the image, according to screenshots circulating on social media.

He later shared a direct message from a follower criticizing him for mocking the alternative show.

“You were my favorite artist. Now you are nothing but another dumbass out of touch elitist,” the message read.

Bryan responded publicly, writing: “I don't care what side you're on, a bunch of adults throwing temper tantrums and their own halftime show is embarrassing as hell and the most cringe s--- on the planet.”

Turning Point USA had promoted its event as “family-friendly” and “values-driven,” offering what it described as patriotic entertainment for viewers looking for an alternative to the NFL broadcast. Kid Rock — born Robert James Ritchie and known as a vocal supporter of Donald Trump — performed alongside country artists Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert and Gabby Barrett.

After the show, Kid Rock faced online criticism from viewers who accused him of lip-syncing during his performance of “Bawitdaba,” a hit from his 1998 album Devil Without a Cause.

He addressed the accusations during a Feb. 10 appearance on The Ingraham Angle.

“It was out of sync,” Kid Rock said, pushing back on the lip-sync claims. “If it was prerecorded, it would’ve been super easy to sync it up.”

He explained that he was moving around the stage while rapping and that his DJ was filling in parts of the track. According to the musician, the issue came down to technical syncing problems in the broadcast.

“It was just a syncing issue that they had, and I know they tried to get it right. It was very difficult,” he added.

Bryan wasn’t the only country artist to publicly react to the halftime spectacle. Kacey Musgraves also praised Bad Bunny’s performance — while taking a swipe at Kid Rock.

“Well. That made me feel more proudly American than anything Kid Rock has ever done,” Musgraves wrote on X shortly after the show.

The dueling halftime events — one centered on global pop stardom, the other framed as a patriotic alternative — have sparked a wider conversation about music, politics and the deep cultural divides playing out even during America’s biggest sporting event.