Erika Kirk and Megyn Kelly to Host Turning Point USA’s ‘All-American Halftime Show’ – A Conservative Counter to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Spectacle

By Lila Voss, Entertainment and Politics Reporter Published October 28, 2025

LOS ANGELES — In a bold escalation of cultural warfare, Turning Point USA (TPUSA) has tapped Erika Kirk—the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk—and veteran journalist Megyn Kelly to co-host its rival “All-American Halftime Show” during Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026. The announcement, teased in a TPUSA email blast to supporters on Tuesday, positions the event as a patriotic antidote to the NFL’s selection of Latin superstar Bad Bunny as the official halftime headliner, igniting fresh debates over nationalism, entertainment, and the politicization of America’s biggest night.

The move comes three weeks after TPUSA first unveiled plans for the counterprogramming on October 9, framing it as a celebration of “values, faith, and freedom” amid backlash against Bad Bunny’s Spanish-language-heavy performance. While performers remain under wraps—though insiders whisper Creed and Morgan Wallen top the wishlist—the host reveal has supercharged the narrative, blending Kirk’s personal tragedy with Kelly’s media firepower.

Erika Kirk, 30, assumed leadership of the 400,000-member nonprofit following Charlie Kirk’s assassination in April 2025, transforming grief into a mission of expansion. “Charlie dreamed of a stage where American pride could shine unapologetically,” Kirk said in a statement to supporters. “With Megyn by my side, we’ll deliver a show that honors his legacy and rallies a generation.” Kelly, 54, the former Fox News anchor turned SiriusXM host, brings star power and a history of conservative commentary. Their pairing builds on recent collaborations, including a viral September episode of The Charlie Kirk Show reboot and Kirk’s appearance on Kelly’s live tour in Glendale, Arizona.

Roots in Controversy: Bad Bunny Backlash Fuels the Fire

The official Super Bowl halftime, produced by Roc Nation and headlined by Bad Bunny, has drawn fire from MAGA circles since its August reveal. Critics, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Gov. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), decried it as “un-American,” with Noem insisting attendees “should be law-abiding Americans who love this country.” Kelly herself torched the choice on her podcast as a “middle finger” to Trump supporters, while President Donald Trump called it “absolutely ridiculous” on Newsmax, admitting he’d “never heard” of the Puerto Rican trap king.

TPUSA’s response? A guerrilla broadcast promising “anything in English”—a poll option that sparked immediate mockery for its nativist undertones. The event, likely streaming on TPUSA’s platforms and Rumble, will run concurrently with the NFL’s Apple Music Halftime Show at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Details are scant: no venue confirmed (speculation points to a Phoenix-area arena near TPUSA’s headquarters), but the lineup survey favors “Americana,” “Classic Rock,” and “Country” over “Hip Hop” or “Pop.”

Performers? Creed, the post-grunge revivalists fresh off a summer tour grossing $100 million, and Wallen, the bro-country behemoth whose 2025 album One Thing at a Time sold 5 million units, lead the pack. Other rumored acts include Lee Greenwood (“God Bless the USA”) and rising stars like Jelly Roll, aligning with TPUSA’s youth-focused ethos. “We’re not just competing—we’re redefining halftime as a family affair, not a globalist spectacle,” a TPUSA spokesperson told Variety.

Erika Kirk’s Rise: From Widow to Cultural Warrior

Kirk’s journey to the spotlight has been meteoric and polarizing. Thrust into leadership after Charlie’s death—allegedly by a rooftop sniper using a World War I relic— she navigated scrutiny over her “happy widow” persona, including body language analyses questioning her grief. Undeterred, she’s expanded TPUSA’s reach, launching a “Charlie’s Voice” AI series and posthumously securing his Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump in October.

Her alliance with Kelly deepened amid shared traumas. In September, Kelly revealed Kirk’s distress over a now-deleted Jezebel article commissioning “Etsy witches” to curse Charlie days before his shooting—a piece Kelly branded “literally evil.” The duo’s chemistry shone at Kelly’s tour stop, where Kirk subbed for her late husband, drawing sellout crowds. “Megyn’s a sister in the fight,” Kirk posted on X, teasing the halftime gig with a photo of them in matching red-white-and-blue scarves.

Data: Nielsen estimates and TPUSA announcements.

Backlash and Buzz: A Super Bowl Schism

X lit up with reactions, #AllAmericanHalftime trending with 850K posts by midday. Supporters cheered: “Finally, a show for real Americans—Erika and Megyn will crush it!” Detractors fired back: “This is just xenophobic grift—Bad Bunny’s an American too,” from Puerto Rican influencers. Jennifer Lopez, a 2020 halftime alum, defended Bad Bunny on TODAY: “Music knows no borders.”

The NFL, via commissioner Roger Goodell, shrugged: “Fans have choices—we focus on the field.” But cultural observers see deeper rifts. “It’s Trump-era tribalism meets Taylor Swift’s shadow,” said media analyst Brian Stelter. “TPUSA’s betting on outrage revenue.” Ticket presales for VIP experiences—$500 for “freedom packages”—sold 10K units in hours, per TPUSA.

What’s Next: Performers, Politics, and Patriotism

As Super Bowl week nears, expect fireworks. Will Wallen’s DUI history clash with TPUSA’s “law-abiding” ethos? Could Trump cameo? Kirk and Kelly promise “unfiltered patriotism,” teasing a pre-show podcast tie-in.

For Kirk, it’s personal redemption; for Kelly, a broadcast bullhorn. In a divided America, their halftime duel isn’t just entertainment—it’s a manifesto. As Kirk put it: “We’re not boycotting. We’re building better.” Tune in—or tune out—at your peril.