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Social media users have been misled by viral claims that Adam Sandler will perform at an alternative Super Bowl halftime event, according to fact-checkers who have debunked the widespread hoax.
The false rumor, which gained significant traction across Facebook and other platforms, suggested the comedy star would headline a “Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show” as a conservative-focused alternative to the official NFL event. The fabricated story included supposed quotes from Sandler stating his performance would represent “a spiritual revolution in an age of entertainment” and that “this isn’t competition. It’s conviction, a reminder that God still has his hand on this nation.”
The misinformation originated from a Facebook page called “Melodic Comedy,” whose post garnered over 225,000 likes and thousands of shares. The post falsely claimed Sandler would deliver a patriotic set at an event hosted by “Erika Kirk,” allegedly the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This claim contains multiple falsehoods, as Charlie Kirk is very much alive and remains the founder and executive director of Turning Point USA, a right-wing student organization.
The timing of this fabricated story appears strategic, emerging shortly after the NFL announced Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny as the official performer for the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show. Bad Bunny’s selection prompted criticism from some conservative commentators, particularly after his appearance on “Saturday Night Live” where he joked that “Americans have four months to learn Spanish” because his performance would be entirely in Spanish.
The controversy surrounding Bad Bunny’s selection highlights ongoing cultural tensions in American entertainment. While many fans and fellow artists have celebrated the choice as a significant moment for Latino representation in mainstream American culture, others have criticized the selection based on language preferences and cultural politics.
Adding to the confusion, Lara Trump, musician and daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump, further complicated matters when she jokingly volunteered to perform at a Turning Point USA halftime show. After receiving backlash, she clarified her comments, stating: “I heard that there are a lot of people out there on the left who are melting down and very upset about the possibility that I might be performing at the halftime show for the Super Bowl for Turning Point USA. While my joking offer, which was clearly a comical and joking offer, still stands to perform, I’ve not been asked in any formal way.”
The spread of these false claims demonstrates how quickly misinformation can proliferate across social media, particularly when it intersects with politically charged topics. The original hoax expanded to include additional fabricated details, such as an unsubstantiated claim that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had pledged $7 million to sponsor the fictional Turning Point USA show. Fact-checkers have confirmed this claim is also false, with no verification from Jones, the Cowboys organization, or Turning Point USA.
This incident reflects a broader trend of politically-motivated misinformation surrounding major cultural events like the Super Bowl, which annually attracts over 100 million viewers and represents one of America’s largest shared cultural moments. The halftime show, in particular, has increasingly become a flashpoint for cultural debates, with performer selections often generating discussions about representation, politics, and American values.
As preparations for the actual Super Bowl halftime show continue, media literacy experts recommend that audiences verify information through official sources before sharing content on social media, particularly when claims involve celebrities or major events that would typically receive widespread legitimate media coverage.
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4 Comments
This seems like another case of intentionally misleading information being spread on social media. I hope more people learn to critically evaluate the sources and claims they encounter online.
I’m curious to learn more about the conservative student organization Turning Point USA that was involved in this hoax. What is their agenda and how do they influence political narratives?
Interesting, it seems there was some misinformation circulating about Adam Sandler performing at a conservative event. Good to see this was debunked – it’s important to fact-check these types of viral claims before believing them.
Glad to see reputable fact-checkers were able to quickly debunk this false claim about Adam Sandler. It’s important to be vigilant about verifying viral social media content, especially around political topics.