Kid Rock put a very deliberate twist on Cody Johnson’s hit “’Til You Can’t” during Turning Point USA’s alternative halftime show, and the result was anything but accidental. The performance came as a direct counterprogramming moment after the NFL selected Bad Bunny as its Super Bowl halftime headliner, a choice that had already stirred cultural and political debate well before kickoff.
Rock opened his set in familiar fashion, launching into his rap hit “Bawitdaba,” immediately anchoring the performance in his trademark blend of rock bravado and populist energy. But the moment that drew real attention came when he shifted gears and introduced “’Til You Can’t.” He told the audience that he had woken up one night with the song stuck in his head and felt there was “a verse that still needed to be written.” That framing set the stage for what followed.
Bad Bunny named all the Latin American countries and said “seguimo’ aquí” — we’re still here — in a moment that felt like a declaration that Latinos aren’t going anywhere. 🇵🇷🇻🇪🇨🇺🇨🇴🇲🇽🇩🇴 pic.twitter.com/DKKFnIm0ON
— Cristina Corujo (@cristina_corujo) February 9, 2026
The verse Rock added was explicitly religious, invoking Christianity in a way that left no room for ambiguity. He sang about a dusty Bible sitting in a house, about Christ dying on the cross for humanity’s sins, and about redemption through faith. The line “You can give your life to Jesus and he’ll give you a second chance” reframed the song’s original message of urgency and personal responsibility into something overtly spiritual. It wasn’t subtle, and it wasn’t meant to be.
The context matters. Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show was announced after the NFL’s decision to go with Bad Bunny, and it positioned itself as a cultural alternative rather than a simple entertainment option. Where the official halftime show leaned heavily into global pop aesthetics and identity-driven symbolism, TPUSA’s production emphasized traditional Americana, overt patriotism, and, in this case, unapologetic Christianity.
President Trump’s reaction to the NFL’s halftime show only sharpened that contrast. On Sunday, he blasted the performance as “absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER,” criticizing both the language and the choreography, particularly in light of children watching. Whether one agrees with Trump’s assessment or not, it reflected a broader frustration among many viewers who feel the Super Bowl halftime show no longer reflects their values or culture.
🚨 WOW! Kid Rock in front of MILLIONS says to give your life to Jesus Christ during the halftime show
This whole thing was BY FAR the better performance. It’s not close.
NFL, you should do better. THIS is America. 🇺🇸🙏🏻pic.twitter.com/fud3mLNycv
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 9, 2026
Kid Rock’s rewritten verse was less about musical innovation than cultural signaling. It was a statement that faith, tradition, and explicit moral messaging still have an audience, and a large one. In an era where mainstream entertainment often avoids religious language altogether, Rock leaned into it on purpose, using one of country music’s most popular recent songs as the vehicle.
Taken together, the performance underscored a growing divide in American pop culture. The halftime show is no longer just about music. It has become a proxy battle over values, identity, and who the biggest stage in American sports is really for
