Kid Rock Says His Halftime Performance Was “Pre-Recorded but Performed Live” — But That’s Not Enough to End the Backlash
The Super Bowl halftime show always sparks talk, but this year’s drama went beyond the field. On February 8, 2026, during Super Bowl LX, Bad Bunny lit up the stage with the first-ever Spanish-language performance in NFL history. Not everyone was on board with that choice.
Turning Point USA, a conservative group, decided to host their own “All-American Halftime Show” as a counter-event. They streamed it online at the same time, featuring country stars like Brantley Gilbert, Gabby Barrett, and Lee Brice. Kid Rock closed it out, but what should have been a patriotic punch ended up as fuel for online mockery.
Viewers quickly spotted issues in his set, leading to accusations of lip-syncing. Kid Rock fired back, explaining the whole thing was pre-recorded but done with live energy. Still, the explanation fell flat for many, keeping the controversy alive days later.
What Went Wrong On Screen
Turning Point USA put together their halftime event as a direct response to the NFL’s pick of Bad Bunny. Some critics on the right called the official show not “American” enough because of its focus on Spanish lyrics and Puerto Rican roots.
TPUSA aimed to offer something different: a lineup of country acts meant to celebrate traditional values. The show was filmed in advance at a studio outside Atlanta, with a small crowd of about 200 people. It streamed online during the actual Super Bowl halftime, giving viewers an option to switch over.
As soon as the stream went live, eagle-eyed viewers noticed something off during “Bawitdaba.” Kid Rock’s mouth movements didn’t always line up with the audio. Sometimes his lips were ahead of the words, other times they didn’t match at all. He even lowered the microphone away from his face while the track kept playing. This sparked immediate questions about whether he was really singing or just going through the motions.
Screenshot from Kid Rock’s post/X
The other performers, like Gilbert, Barrett, and Brice, seemed to deliver their songs without similar glitches, which made Kid Rock’s segment stand out more. His outfit, a black shirt and shorts, was casual compared to his usual stage gear, and the energy felt a bit dialed back from what fans expect in his live shows.
Comedian Jimmy Kimmel jumped on it during his late-night monologue, joking that it looked like Kid Rock was in a “lip sync battle with himself.” Some outlets described the whole event as a “pyrotechnics-heavy tantrum” and called Kid Rock’s effort “half-assed.” The pre-taped nature of the show added another layer, since it was promoted as an alternative but not truly happening in real time like Bad Bunny’s performance.
Kid Rock’s Side of the Story
Kid Rock didn’t stay quiet. The day after the show, he posted on X, formerly Twitter, to set the record straight. “My halftime performance was pre recorded but performed live,” he wrote. “No lipsycing like the haters and fake news are trying to report.” He followed up with a five-minute video featuring his DJ, Freddie “Paradime” Beauregard, explaining the mishap.
In the clip, Kid Rock said he performed the song genuinely during the taping, with no plans to fake it. He pointed out that “Bawitdaba” is a track he’s done live every night on tour since 1998, so lip-syncing wouldn’t make sense for him. The problem, he claimed, came in post-production. The production team struggled to sync the video footage with the audio because the song’s fast pace was tough to match.
He even mentioned spotting issues in a rough cut and warning the crew, but they went ahead anyway. To prove his point, he rapped parts of the song live in the video, showing the difference. He appeared on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle” to repeat his defense, calling the accusations “fake news” from critics. Kid Rock framed it as a technical glitch, not any attempt to deceive.
Why the Backlash Lingers
Even with Kid Rock’s explanation, the criticism hasn’t died down. Many point out that admitting it was pre-recorded undercuts the “live” feel TPUSA was going for, especially as a protest against the official halftime. The sync problems made the production look sloppy, turning what was meant as a bold statement into a punchline. Late-night hosts and online commentators kept the jokes coming, with some calling it an “embarrassment” or proof that the alternative show couldn’t compete.
The broader context plays a role too. TPUSA’s event tied into cultural debates, with figures like former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson criticizing Bad Bunny’s booking earlier. Kid Rock’s faith-themed message in his second song added to the mix, but his past as a rowdy rocker with hits full of party anthems made some question the sincerity.
Screenshot from Kid Rock’s post/X
Screenshot from Kid Rock’s post/X
In the end, the flap highlights how Super Bowl entertainment can turn into a flashpoint for bigger conversations. Days after the game, people are still talking about it, showing that a quick fix from the artist doesn’t always quiet the crowd.
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