The Dan Bongino Show Ep. 2448: Kid Rock > Sad Bunny
Release Date: February 9, 2026
Host: Dan Bongino
Special Guest: Rep. Byron Donalds
Overview of Episode
Dan Bongino’s post–Super Bowl Monday show highlights a “cultural revolution” spurred by Turning Point USA’s alternative Super Bowl halftime show featuring Kid Rock, versus the NFL’s more progressive programming (labelled “Sad Bunny” by Bongino). He frames this as a seismic shift in American culture—where “pro-America” alternatives now directly challenge mainstream institutions. The episode also covers Trump's recent counterterrorism accomplishments, media narratives around censorship, election integrity, free speech threats emerging from Europe, and a substantive conversation with Rep. Byron Donalds about Florida’s upcoming gubernatorial race and election security.
Tone: Assertive, no-nonsense, with direct language, conservative populist lean, and heavy critique of left-leaning institutions and media.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Turning Point USA Super Bowl Halftime Show – A “Cultural Revolution”
- Bongino opens with high praise for Turning Point USA’s alternative halftime show, asserting that their stream—featuring Kid Rock—was a “punctuated equilibrium” event for culture and technology, successfully challenging the NFL’s cultural dominance.
- Quote: “Nobody takes on the NFL and wins. Nobody—except Turning Point.” (07:53)
- Mainstream halftime performer “Sad Bunny” (Bad Bunny) is criticized for bringing progressive, non-English content to an audience that, in Bongino’s view, seeks apolitical entertainment.
- Quote: “Nobody really gives a shit about your opinion. I’m sorry. Just sing or rap or do your thing or whatever, man." (05:50)
- Addresses polling: TMZ found 66.8% preferred Kid Rock over Bad Bunny.
- Andrew Colvett (TPUSA) claims over 20 million viewers for the alternative show.
Quote: “We are now over 20 million viewers across just social.” (12:29) - Bongino sees this as proof that the public can now “be the media” and choose decentralized, pro-America content—disrupting traditional gatekeepers.
2. Fragmentation of Media & Audience Power
- Bongino discusses the transition from “one button” cable TV to a world where viewers intentionally choose their streaming content (“the two button problem”).
- Emphasizes that empowered viewers and fragmented media provide opportunities to bypass established, liberal-dominated media channels.
- Quote: “You are the media now. It’s not a joke... you have a choice.” (09:37)
3. Benghazi Accountability & Trump’s National Security Wins
Recent Victory:
- Bongino revisits the Benghazi attack, contrasting Trump admin’s pursuit and capture of a suspect (Al Bakush) with Clinton/Obama’s responses.
- Plays Clinton’s “What difference does it make?” clip, emphasising the importance of accountability.
- Notes the Trump admin’s directness and record: “This POTUS is absolutely not effing around.” (18:36)
- Quotes from Trump’s earlier Oprah interview (circa 1990) to argue Trump’s longstanding consistency on American interests.
4. Drug Interdiction and “Level 10” Presidential Decisions
- Praises recent Trump administration actions against narco-terrorists, arguing for kinetic responses to the drug trade and criticizing media neglect of positive outcomes like falling fentanyl deaths.
- Describes high-level government choices as “Level 10 decisions”—always between a “shitty” and “shittier” option.
5. Fighting Media Narrative “Bullshit” and Gaslighting
- Critiques how establishment media and some right-leaning voices quickly buy into leftist narratives (e.g., accusations of Trump racism, military tribunals).
- Quote: “Friends don’t let friends fall for liberal media bullshit.” (29:05)
- Urges listeners and public figures to slow down, verify facts, and stop apologizing reflexively to manufactured media outrage cycles.
6. Stolen Elections: Double Standards and Hypocrisy
- Cites polls showing many Democrats believe recent (2000, 2004, 2016) presidential elections were “stolen.”
- Asserts that only right-leaning claims are labeled as “election denialism,” while Democrats do not apologize for their own repeat allegations.
- Plays multiple media clips as evidence.
7. Censorship – The European Digital Services Act (DSA) Threat
- Describes threats to free speech from the EU’s DSA, warning that such regulatory models could be imported to the U.S.
- Reads from WSJ about the DSA’s financial threats to platforms; plays Elon Musk’s response:
- Quote, Elon Musk (44:22): “A restriction on speech and large government is fundamentally fascist, obviously.”
- Argues that speech is the linchpin of all other rights:
- “If you don’t have freedom of speech, nothing else matters.” (45:31)
- Recalls personal experiences of being banned/censored by Big Tech over COVID and other stances.
8. Political and Institutional Hypocrisy
- Points to gerrymandering in Virginia, comparing pre-election anti-gerrymandering rhetoric from Gov. Abigail Spanberger to post-election Democratic redistricting benefiting her party.
- Quote: “People don’t give a shit about principles.” (47:20)
- Urges GOP to respond in kind politically, not be outmaneuvered by “rules for thee, not for me.”
9. Voter ID, Elections, and Kamala “Word Salad”
- Critiques Kamala Harris’ argument that voter ID is burdensome, calling her reasoning condescending.
- Argues broad support—including among Black and Hispanic voters—for voter ID, and frames opposition as fraudulent.
10. Left-Wing Corruption and Grift
- Highlights growth in personal wealth (from $12,000 to $8 million) by Rep. Ayanna Pressley and her husband, and recent Democratic corruption indictments.
- Asserts insider status is resulting in outsized personal financial gains in D.C., regardless of party.
11. Language Games and Transgender Policy
- Warns against adopting left-leaning euphemisms: “transition,” “gender-affirming care.”
- Celebrates small victories in medicine: US plastic surgeons call for delaying gender surgeries until age 19 (per Jesse Watters on Fox).
- Argues for a return to “do no harm.”
12. Epstein Documents & Transparency
- Responds to critics mischaracterizing his involvement with transparency in the Epstein investigation.
- Shares personal story of internal DOJ efforts to prioritize the case and ensure public access.
13. Advice Against Panic and Weakness
- Reminds listeners not to “panic” or become “weak and stupid” (echoing Trump’s Truth Social post on electoral strategy).
- Argues real, radical progress requires calm, patient, and “hardball” political tactics—without losing ethical bearings.
14. Federal Budget Savings & Unsung Trump Admin Heroes
- Praises OMB Director Russ Vought for achieving $13 trillion improvements in spending and efficiency under President Trump.
- Stresses importance of outgrowing debt via productivity and technological innovation.
Interview Highlights: Rep. Byron Donalds (Florida Gubernatorial Candidate)
Begins ~[79:42]
On TPUSA and Culture War
- Praises Turning Point’s effort: “Most people just want to take in something that makes them feel good about America.” (80:54)
On Election Integrity and the SAVE Act ([82:23])
- Florida’s ballot security model treats every ballot “like evidence.”
- SAVE Act at the federal level would require voter ID and citizenship verification for voter registration.
- Opposition from Democrats rooted in maintaining systems with “open-ended cheating and fraud,” especially in blue states.
On Mail-In Ballots ([85:33])
- Mass mailing, unverified ballots (as in CA, OR, WA) are a serious problem.
- Common-sense reforms (postmarks, signature checks) are needed; Democrats resist these measures.
On the “Maha” Health Movement ([87:49])
- Describes a growing populist wellness movement concerned with food quality, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and autism rates.
- "It's about health overall ... that the food and shots ... is about us being well and healthy human beings and Americans."
On Fiscal Policy and Trump Accounts ([91:02])
- Supports Trump Accounts for newborns to leverage compounding interest, fundamentally more secure than current Social Security.
- Emphasizes teaching basic savings habits ("first ten [percent] to God, second ten to you, live on 80%").
On Florida’s Future & Tech Revolution ([95:30])
- AI and quantum computing will increase efficiency—should be leveraged for better government service and reduced costs (e.g., home building permits).
- Praises Florida’s position as a future manufacturing/finance/space hub.
- Stresses need for policy continuity and innovation to keep the state successful.
Most Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- “Nobody takes on the NFL and wins. Nobody—except Turning Point.” (07:53)
- “You are the media now. It’s not a joke... you have a choice.” (09:37)
- “Friends don’t let friends fall for liberal media bullshit.” (29:05)
- “A restriction on speech and large government is fundamentally fascist, obviously.” —Elon Musk (44:31)
- “If you don’t have freedom of speech, nothing else matters.” (45:31)
- Byron Donalds: "In Florida, our election law is based around treating every ballot as if it was evidence in a trial." (82:23)
- Donalds: "It's about protecting the American franchise ... the sanctity of the American vote ..." (85:33)
- Donalds: “Start living on 80% of your money. First ten goes to God. Second ten goes to you.” (91:02)
Segment Timestamps for Reference
- [00:10–12:33] Turning Point v. NFL Halftime Show: Significance & Numbers
- [12:33–18:36] Benghazi, Trump Adm. Security Actions, Trump’s Consistency
- [21:40–29:05] Drug interdiction, “Level 10 Decisions”, Media gaslighting
- [29:05–44:22] Media Narrative Wars, Stolen Election Rhetoric, Censorship
- [44:22–47:20] DSA / Elon Quote, Speech as Fundamental Right
- [47:20–55:35] Hypocrisy: Gerrymandering, Voter ID, Corruption
- [55:35–79:42] Language Wars, Healthcare, Epstein Transparency
- [79:42–99:34] Interview - Byron Donalds on TPUSA, Election Law, Health, Economy, Florida’s Future
Memorable Moments
- The claim that alternative (pro-America) content can now beat the NFL at its own game—and that this signals a broad realignment in media, culture, and politics.
- Bongino’s unfiltered skepticism toward “Sad Bunny” and open frustration with “virtue signaling” in entertainment.
- Practical definition of high-level executive decisions as always between “shitty and shittier”—a strong illustration of the real-world stakes of leadership.
Conclusion
This densely packed episode serves as a rallying cry for conservative listeners—highlighting alternative media’s cultural clout, reiterating the stakes of election integrity, warning of foreign censorship threats, and doubling down on Trump’s (and Florida’s) vision for American growth. The interview with Byron Donalds adds real policy depth and narrows the focus to practical solutions in election law, fiscal policy, and technological adaptation.
A lively listen for those seeking unapologetic, conviction-driven analysis of current U.S. political and culture wars—with a strong call for vigilance, patience, and refusing to cede language or narrative ground to the left.
For more, tune in live weekdays at 10am EST on Rumble.com/Bongino.