Candace Owens did not hold back after Super Bowl LX. The conservative commentator took to X to blast Turning Point USA, the organization she once helped build, for what she called a blatant scam during the big game’s halftime. While millions tuned in to watch Bad Bunny perform the official halftime show, TPUSA aired its own All-American Halftime Show as a patriotic alternative.
The group boasted about pulling in over 5 million viewers, but Owens called foul, accusing them of inflating numbers through paid ads and influencer hype. This latest jab adds fuel to a feud that has been simmering since the death of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk in late 2025.
The Super Bowl Showdown
Super Bowl LX kicked off on February 8, 2026, with the halftime slot drawing massive attention as always. Bad Bunny headlined the NFL’s official performance, delivering a set entirely in Spanish that sparked debates online about language and cultural representation.
On the flip side, TPUSA streamed its All-American Halftime Show, featuring acts like Kid Rock, aimed at conservative audiences who wanted something more traditional. The organization quickly touted its success, claiming peaks of 5 to 6.1 million concurrent viewers across platforms like YouTube and others.
Reports from outlets like Yahoo and the Daily Mail highlighted TPUSA’s promotional push. They positioned the event as a cultural win for conservatives, especially after backlash against Bad Bunny’s selection. Third-party estimates varied, but TPUSA stood by its figures, saying the show reached millions in real time.
Erika Kirk, who stepped in as CEO after her husband Charlie’s assassination, shared updates celebrating the event’s reach. Yet, Owens saw it differently. In her X post, she grouped both shows together in her criticism, saying she disliked the options America had that night.
Owens’ Direct Attack
Owens posted her thoughts shortly after the game ended. “I am sorry but I hate both options,” she wrote on X. “On the one hand, we have a half-time show presented without a word of English spoken. On the other hand we have an organization that scammed its views by paying platform advertisers, followed by influencers to pretend they broke records.” She followed up by predicting TPUSA would pour money into YouTube ads overnight to boost the video’s numbers, which did rise significantly by morning.
As a former communications director for TPUSA from 2017 to 2019, Owens’ words carried extra weight. She helped shape the group’s early messaging, turning it into a powerhouse for young conservatives. Now, she questioned the math behind their claims. Live concurrent views, she argued, did not match the final totals, suggesting manipulation.
Owens even linked it to her ongoing skepticism about TPUSA’s direction under Erika Kirk, calling out what she sees as delusions in the movement. The feud has roots in Owens’ public doubts about the investigation into Charlie Kirk’s death. She has shared stories from former employees, like Aubrey Laitsch, who was fired after four years and spoke out about internal changes.
Owens has also criticized TPUSA’s fundraising, pointing to a quarter billion dollars raised quickly and questioning where the money went. In one post, she urged donors to demand refunds, claiming leadership knew about betrayals within the ranks.
Roots of the Rivalry
This Super Bowl slam is just the latest in a string of public spats. Charlie Kirk’s assassination in December 2025 shook the conservative world, and Owens was vocal from the start. She posted in early December 2025 that she believed TPUSA leadership betrayed Kirk, promising to name names with evidence.
By January 2026, she mocked a cease-and-desist letter from the group as a bad move, offering her “consulting services” to fix their issues. More posts followed. Earlier this month, Owens highlighted another former employee’s story and accused TPUSA of sending someone to photograph a fired worker’s home and car without cause.
She connected these to patterns, like employees linked to scandals, and kept pressing on financial transparency. Erika Kirk has defended the organization, but TPUSA has not directly addressed Owens’ viewership accusations in detail.
Owens’ podcast episodes have amplified her views. In one from February 9, 2026, she declared Bad Bunny the “obvious winner” over TPUSA’s show and revisited other controversies, like military base ties and thumbnail drama. Her audience responds strongly, with posts garnering tens of thousands of likes and shares. This ongoing narrative shows how personal history and public platforms collide, turning internal gripes into national stories.
Looking Ahead
What happens next? Owens shows no signs of stopping. Her posts continue to draw attention, and with TPUSA’s high profile, the feud could influence donor trust and event turnout. Conservative media watches closely, as splits like this highlight fractures in the movement. For now, Owens’ Super Bowl critique stands as a pointed example of her willingness to call out former allies.
TPUSA maintains its halftime show was a genuine hit, but Owens’ accusations linger. As America processes another Super Bowl, this side drama reminds everyone that politics and entertainment often mix in unexpected ways. Whether the numbers were real or boosted, the real story is the lasting rift between Owens and the group she once championed.
What do you think about Owens’ statement?