Rhett Walker disapproves of TBN for broadcasting TPUSA Halftime Show featuring alcohol celebration

A Christian singer, Rhett Walker, is expressing dismay at the broadcast of Turning Point USA’s alternative Super Bowl halftime show on TBN, a faith-based network known for airing sermons and faith-centric content. The broadcast featured performances by country artists, including Kid Rock, and included songs that glorified alcohol consumption, prompting Walker to question the network’s dedication to its Christian mission.
Describing the broadcast as straying from its usual programming, Walker took issue with the show’s promotion of alcohol consumption, noting that it seemed incongruous with TBN’s commitment to faith-based content. In an Instagram post, he expressed disappointment, saying, “What are we doing, TBN? Big ups for drinking and driving… I wasn’t even allowed to wear a hat when I went on TBN out of ‘reverence.’” He highlighted the missed opportunity to use the platform to inspire worship and offer hope, instead of promoting participation in a drinking culture.
The alternative halftime show, dubbed The All-American Halftime Show, presented a mix of faith-related content and songs that endorsed drinking. Artists like Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Kid Rock performed songs with references to alcohol consumption, such as lyrics about drinking beer while driving, belonging to the “drinking class,” and partying. While there were moments that did incorporate faith themes and messages, the overarching focus on alcohol-related lyrics raised concerns for Walker.
Acknowledging that the show did include elements of faith, Walker maintained that the inclusion of songs promoting drunkenness and other objectionable content on a gospel network was inappropriate. He noted that while the lineup featured faith-related moments and messages, the endorsement of themes such as drunkenness, cheating, and sex did not align with TBN’s primary purpose of broadcasting faith-based programming.
In response to some pushback from fans, Walker reiterated his stance, emphasizing that the issue lay in the contradictory messages being broadcast on a gospel network. The inclusion of songs and content that promoted behaviors like drunkenness and infidelity conflicted with TBN’s mission and purpose, according to Walker. Despite some faith-related moments in the show, the overall embrace of themes that glorified alcohol consumption and other objectionable content undermined its spiritual impact.
The alternative halftime show, which attracted over 5 million viewers on YouTube, showcased performances by well-known artists and included a mix of faith-themed and secular content. While some performances incorporated faith-related messages and music, the inclusion of songs glorifying alcohol consumption prompted criticism from Christian singer Rhett Walker, who questioned the appropriateness of such content on a faith-based network like TBN. Walker’s concerns centered on the inconsistency between the network’s mission and the messages being broadcast, particularly in relation to promoting behaviors like drinking and partying.