Several influential figures within the MAGA movement, along with various media personalities, have seemingly fallen for a cleverly fabricated flyer promoting an imaginary “All-American” Super Bowl halftime show. This event was proposed by the right-wing group Turning Point USA (TPUSA) as an alternative to the actual performance by Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican rapper who has become a flashpoint for conservative criticism due to his Spanish-language music and political stance against ICE.
The fraudulent flyer circulated social media and far-right message boards featured an exaggerated lineup of pro-Trump musical acts, including Kid Rock, John Rich, Ted Nugent, and an unusual special guest appearance by “Measles,” evidently a jab at the anti-vaccine movement. TPUSA, co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk, publicly announced their plans last week, expressing intent to reveal performers and details in the near future, amid growing discontent over Bad Bunny’s selection for the halftime show.
Critics have been vocal about Bad Bunny’s performance, with House Speaker Mike Johnson calling the “King of Latin Trap” a “terrible” pick who lacks broad appeal, instead advocating for Lee Greenwood. Donald Trump expressed confusion over Bad Bunny’s inclusion, commenting on Newsmax about a perceived lack of recognition for the artist, despite his significant record sales.
As conservative uproar over the halftime show mounts, speculation swelled regarding the lineup for TPUSA’s event, prompting the circulation of the fake flyer. Conservative pundit John Strand tweeted about the lineup, referring to TPUSA’s event as a significant counter to mainstream entertainment. He boasted that the proposed show would feature notable MAGA entertainers, stirring excitement among certain online communities.
However, the lineup was revealed to be a fabrication, yet many influencers, including Owen Shroyer, applauded the supposed talent slated for the TPUSA event, which they believed to be a response to the mainstream Super Bowl performance. Some media outlets fell into the trap, citing shredded information attributed to Strand’s now-debunked claims.
Ultimately, as Strand recognized the misinformation, he emphasized that regardless of the authenticity of the lineup, the conversation it generated was valuable to them, asserting that the event would capture the attention of even the most critical commentators. The incident highlights the ongoing cultural and political divisions within America, as entertainment continues to weave into the texture of partisan identities.