Comedian Bill Maher told CNN’s Elex Michaelson that he sent Kid Rock a text message after the singer performed at Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show during Super Bowl LX.
Maher, 70, revealed in a Friday, February 13, appearance on The Story Is With Elex Michaelson that he asked Kid Rock, “Wouldn’t it have been a little more Christian to let Mr. Bunny have his moment?”
TPUSA’s alternative show, which streamed live on YouTube during halftime on February 8, came about when Bad Bunny was announced as the NFL’s headliner. Conservative critics panned the decision, citing Bad Bunny’s mostly Spanish lyrics and previous comments about President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
The All-American Halftime show promised an event “celebrating faith, family and freedom” in an October 2025 statement announcing the show.
“You know, I liked the song he sang,” Maher said of Kid Rock’s performance. “I said it was a good song. The content of it — not my cup of tea. But you know, I think he writes a great song. I’m a big fan of his music.”
He continued, “But, you know, the whole thing — his whole show was about Christian … it was a very big Christian [thing]. … I said, ‘Wouldn’t it have been a little more Christian to let Mr. Bunny have his moment?’”
Asked how Kid Rock responded to the text, the Real Time With Bill Maher host replied, “I just said, ‘Next time we talk, we should talk about whether it would have been a little more Christian to let Mr. Bunny have his moment.’”
In a statement released before the Super Bowl, Kid Rock expressed his excitement for the chance to challenge the NFL during its premier event.
“We plan to play great songs for folks who love America,” he said. “We’re approaching this show like David and Goliath. Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible … or is it?”
He also addressed the NFL’s decision to have Bad Bunny lead its Super Bowl halftime show.
“He’s said he’s having a dance party, wearing a dress, and singing in Spanish? Cool. We plan to play great songs for folks who love America,” Kid Rock said.
The All-American Halftime Show also featured country singers Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert and Gabby Barrett. When the performance ended, TPUSA shared a tribute to its late founder, Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed in September 2025 at age 31.
The tribute ended with Charlie’s voice saying, “The more often that you choose the deep, the difficult, but the right path over the easy path is one that will reward you, your family and this beautiful nation.”
His widow, Erika Kirk, explained in an interview with Fox News before the Super Bowl that the event would serve as a way to honor her husband’s memory.
“It’s powerful because what Charlie always loved and knew is that he wanted to be in the forefront of the culture war,” she said. “He would be fist-pumping at this. He would be so stoked. And what better way to honor him than to just get in the middle of this and be able to offer an alternative to families.”
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