Kid Rock has responded to growing public backlash over his role in the alternative “All-American Halftime Show” tied to Super Bowl LX by sharing a quote attributed to the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant, embracing criticism and urging his supporters to “learn to love the hate.” The quote, posted by Kid Rock on social media on Feb. 5, 2026, was framed as part of Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality,” suggesting that hate is a sign of greatness and that “nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones.”
The remark comes as Kid Rock faces intensified attention over his scheduled performance at Turning Point USA’s counter-programming event, which is set to stream on Feb. 8, coinciding with the official Super Bowl halftime show headlined by Bad Bunny at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Turning Point USA has promoted its show as a celebration of “faith, family and freedom,” and Kid Rock is slated to perform alongside country artists including Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett.
Online reaction to both the alternative halftime show and Kid Rock’s Kobe Bryant quote has been mixed, with some supporters rallying behind his message and others continuing to criticize the event and his past artistic persona. The broader debate underscores the cultural divide surrounding this year’s Super Bowl entertainment landscape.
