Gracie Hunt, daughter of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and granddaughter of NFL founding figure Lamar Hunt, has publicly supported Turning Point USA’s plan to host an alternative Super Bowl half-time show. This move stands in direct opposition to the NFL’s selection of Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl LX halftime performance, a choice that has sparked significant controversy, especially among conservative circles.
Appearing on Fox News Channel’s The Will Cain Show, Gracie Hunt expressed strong backing for Turning Point USA’s initiative, which is led by Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Turning Point USA, a right-wing college organization co-founded by Charlie Kirk, announced in October that it would present an “All American Halftime Show” during the NFL championship game as a counter-event to the NFL’s halftime show. The effort quickly gained momentum among conservatives who disapprove of Bad Bunny’s inclusion due to his outspoken criticism of former President Donald Trump and his views on US immigration policies.
Hunt praised Erika Kirk for her efforts, emphasizing the importance of providing positive role models for young people. “Children are young, they’re impressionable. Young women, young men and everyone, they just need someone to look up to,” Hunt said. She framed her support within the legacy of her grandfather Lamar Hunt, who is credited with coining the term “Super Bowl” and helping to shape the modern NFL. According to Hunt, the Super Bowl was conceived as a family-friendly event meant to be inclusive of all demographics, without resorting to “cheap appeal” or compromising its character to attract viewers.
“When my grandfather named the Super Bowl, he intended it to be something children and families of all ages could come together and watch,” Hunt explained. She argued that the NFL has an obligation to select halftime performers who align with the league’s traditional values. “Football is becoming the world sport, but, at its heart, it’s America’s sport built around family,” she said. “The NFL honors women, the military, this country, celebrates communities. So I think that whoever they select going forward for the half-time show needs to reflect those values more closely.”
Hunt also shared her own preferences for future halftime performers, suggesting country music star Jason Aldean as a fitting choice and expressing hope to see pop icon Taylor Swift perform once Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce retires. These remarks come amid ongoing political tensions surrounding the NFL’s 2026 halftime headliner.
Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican artist who is also a US citizen, has been a polarizing figure due to his vocal criticisms of aggressive immigration enforcement policies. His selection has drawn ire from many conservatives, including former President Donald Trump and other right-wing commentators. During a recent monologue on Saturday Night Live, Bad Bunny addressed the backlash with humor, joking that everyone seemed excited about his booking “even Fox News.” He also highlighted Latino contributions to the United States and challenged viewers to learn Spanish to understand his performance, giving them “four months to learn.”
The controversy escalated after South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who also serves as homeland security secretary in her state, warned that immigration agents would “be all over” the area during next year’s Super Bowl and declared that only Americans should attend the event. Bad Bunny has cited fears of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids as a reason for excluding the mainland US from his recent world tour.
Despite the conservative backlash and political pressure, the NFL has stood firm on its decision to feature Bad Bunny. Commissioner Roger Goodell made it clear last month that the league would not reconsider the selection. He emphasized that the decision-making process was “carefully thought through” and noted that criticism is common with any high-profile artist chosen for the halftime show, given the event’s massive viewership.
“It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people that are watching,” Goodell said. When asked about Trump’s dismissal of Bad Bunny as an unknown artist and labeling the NFL’s choice as “absolutely ridiculous,” Goodell defended the decision, highlighting Bad Bunny’s global popularity. “He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world,” Goodell stated. “That’s what we try to achieve. It’s an important stage for us. It’s an important element to the entertainment value.” He added that the NFL is “confident it’s going to be a great show,” describing the event as “a united moment.”
In closing her interview,