Kid Rock has claimed that Jay-Z was a diversity hire for the role of managing the Super Bowl halftime show.
Jay-Z has been an integral part in making the huge, star-studded live performances during the Super Bowl take place for the past seven years, and began his position there when his entertainment company Roc Nation joined forces with the NFL. Under his leadership, he has helped put on memorable performances from Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar and more.
However, the decision to enlist Bad Bunny to take on the historic role in 2026 stirred some controversy from some right-wing circles, with many of which were unhappy that the slot went to an artist who primarily sings in Spanish.
It even went as far as president Donald Trump hitting out at the artist and criticising the decision to book him for Super Bowl LX, and Turning Point USA – an organisation founded by Charlie Kirk – making its own alternative show, which was headlined by Kid Rock and various country music stars.
After both performances aired on Sunday (February 8), Kid Rock faced widespread accusations of lip-syncing during his ‘All-American half time show’ set, and went on to make an appearance on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle to address and dismiss the claims.
Kid Rock: Nothing against Jay-Z… But it seems like there’s a little bit of a DEI hire there going on. pic.twitter.com/E4VFvkHmkq
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 10, 2026
He also used the slot to take a swing at Jay-Z, who spearheaded the official Halftime show with Bad Bunny, and put forward baseless suggestions that the rapper was given the role as part of the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative – which promotes the fair treatment of marginalised groups in the workplace.
“Nothing against Jay-Z, I respect him for his hustle and his music, but it seems like there’s a little bit of a DEI hire going on there,” Kid Rock said. He also added that while Jay-Z is capable of doing the job, he thought the original reason why he got the role was because “Black guys love Jay-Z”.
Then speaking about Bad Bunny’s set – which saw appearances from Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Jessica Alba, Karol G, Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin – Kid Rock went on to say that he “didn’t understand” any of the lyrics from the songs.
Jay-Z defended the decision to enlist Bad Bunny long before the Super Bowl halftime show took place, saying that he wasn’t fully convinced that there was genuine opposition to the Puerto Rican superstar taking to the stage.
When asked by a journalist “Why are people hating on” Bad Bunny being chosen, the rapper replied: “They love him. Don’t let them fool you.”
Lo único más poderoso que el odio, es el amor.
The Only Thing More Powerful Than Hate is Love. @sanbenito #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/0VDQlSjet9
— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2026
Before then, Jay-Z also defended Bad Bunny’s planned Spanish-only performance, reasoning: “What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honoured to have him on the world’s biggest stage.”
Among those sharing huge praise for the artist’s official Super Bowl halftime show were Rosalía, Doechii, Jennifer Lopez, and more, as well as Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves who also made swipes at the Turning Point gig.
Donald Trump, however, was spotted watching the Bad Bunny performance at a Super Bowl watch party in Florida and went on to double down on his criticism of the 2026 Grammys ‘Album Of The Year’ winner.
Kid Rock has made DEI claims relating to decisions at the Super Bowl in the past too, and claimed that while he was supportive of the multi-award winning rapper Kendrick Lamar headlining the mammoth slot in 2025, he thought it was “the epitome of the DEI blowing up”.
