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GOP gubernatorial candidate Perry Johnson’s latest commercial, launched Thursday, begins with him shaking the hand of the late Charlie Kirk and saying: “I knew Charlie Kirk. Now there’s an American.”
He then urges people to avoid watching Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny perform during the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday in San Francisco.
“Like so many Americans, I’ll be watching the Super Bowl,” he says in the 30-second commercial. “What’s happened to the NFL? They chose Dusk Bunny or Bad Bunny for the halftime. The NFL thinks this is the Bunny Bowl. Join me in changing the channel during halftime to Turning Point’s All-American halftime show for some great American entertainment during America’s game.”
The alternative show is being sponsored by Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, and is being dubbed “The All-American Halftime Show.” It’s being billed as “CELEBRATING FAITH, FAMILY & FREEDOM” and stars headliner Kid Rock along with three country music artists.
The show can be seen on a number of social media platforms Turning Point USA’s YouTube channel, OAN News, and TBN.
Some have criticized Bad Bunny for taking a shot at ICE during the Grammy Awards last Sunday, and some have suggested, as Johnson's commerical does, the Puerto Rican star is not an American, unlike Charlie Kirk. The commercial mentions the word America or American five times in 30 seconds.
Puerto Rico, which is in the Caribbean, is an unincorporated territory of the United States. Puerto Ricans have been American citizens since 1917.
Johnson, a Bloomfield Hills businessman, is considered a longshot to win the GOP primary for governor.
Last week, he joined a primary field that includes former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox; U.S. Rep. John James; former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard; and Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt.
Johnson ran in 2022 but was kicked off the ballot after hiring a firm that submitted too many invalid signatures on his petitions. He also briefly ran for president in 2023.
