Megyn Kelly and Erika Kirk Unveil Faith-Focused ‘All-American Halftime Show’ in Dallas, Sparking Super Bowl Counter-Programming Buzz

By Marcus Hale, Entertainment Correspondent Dallas, TX – November 3, 2025

In a packed auditorium at Dallas’s Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, media powerhouse Megyn Kelly and Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk delivered a clarion call for cultural reclamation on Sunday afternoon, announcing a star-studded, faith-infused alternative to the NFL’s Super Bowl LX halftime show. The event, dubbed “The All-American Halftime Show,” promises a lineup blending country icons, gospel luminaries, and patriotic anthems—positioning it as a heartfelt counterpoint to the league’s selection of Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny. Kirk’s revelation of the performers’ ethos—”This isn’t about celebrities; it’s about connection”—drew thunderous applause from the 5,000-strong crowd, igniting social media speculation and underscoring a deepening rift in American entertainment.

Kelly, 54, the SiriusXM host and former Fox News anchor whose unfiltered commentary has made her a conservative darling, took the stage first, her signature red blazer a beacon amid the sea of cowboy hats and “TPUSA” tees. “America’s biggest stage deserves more than spectacle—it deserves soul,” she declared, framing the show as a bulwark against what she called the NFL’s “drift toward division.” Kirk, 29, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk who assumed TPUSA’s helm after his September assassination, followed with the emotional core. Beaming through tears, she evoked her late husband’s vision: “Charlie believed in unity through faith and family. This show honors that—reminding us what really matters amid the noise.”

The announcement builds on TPUSA’s October 9 tease of a “patriotic alternative,” amplified by backlash to Bad Bunny’s booking. The reggaeton artist’s Spanish-dominant sets and past critiques of U.S. immigration policies drew ire from Trump allies, including Kelly herself, who labeled it a “middle finger to MAGA” on her podcast. Trump echoed the sentiment on Truth Social: “Absolutely ridiculous—I’ve never heard of him.” TPUSA, with its 2,500 campus chapters and $100 million war chest, seized the moment, vowing a “family-oriented” spectacle celebrating “faith, family, and freedom.” Sunday’s reveal confirmed a February 8, 2026, runtime syncing with the official halftime at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California—streamed live on TPUSA’s platform, Newsmax, and Fox Nation.

Kirk held back specific names, teasing a “mix of country music legends, gospel masters, and patriotic artists” to be unveiled in December. But the hints fueled frenzy: Social media lit up with fan-casted lineups featuring George Strait, whose Texas twang and “Amarillo by Morning” embody heartland heroism; Carrie Underwood, the eight-time Grammy winner whose NFL theme song tenure and gospel album My Savior align with the faith angle; and Christian music heavyweights like Lauren Daigle or Chris Tomlin. “George and Carrie? Gospel choir backup? Sign me up—finally, English anthems that hit the soul,” tweeted @TPUSAfanTX, her post garnering 150,000 likes. Hashtag #AllAmericanHalftime surged to No. 1 on X, with 4.5 million posts by evening, blending excitement (“Redefining the Super Bowl!”) and snark (“Bad Bunny who?”).

The Dallas event, part of TPUSA’s “This Is the Turning Point” tour reboot post-Kirk’s death, drew a diverse crowd: Ranchers from Fort Worth, young conservatives from Baylor University, and celebrities like Kid Rock, who fist-bumped Kirk backstage. Kelly moderated a 45-minute panel on “pop culture’s moral vacuum,” fielding questions on everything from Hollywood’s “woke bias” to the NFL’s $13 million halftime budget versus TPUSA’s lean $5 million production. “We’re not competing with fireworks—we’re igniting hearts,” Kirk said, her voice cracking as she shared a Kirk anecdote: debating on a Utah campus, silenced by a bullet, but amplified in eternity.

Critics, however, see red flags. GLAAD blasted the show as “a dog whistle for exclusion,” citing TPUSA’s history of anti-LGBTQ+ stances and Kirk’s recent feuds with outlets like Jezebel over a satirical “curse” piece. The NFL, through commissioner Roger Goodell, reaffirmed Bad Bunny’s slot: “Our halftime reflects America’s mosaic—diverse voices uniting fans.” Bad Bunny, unbothered, posted a selfie in Levi’s Stadium: “Mi show, mi familia. ” Liberal commentators like The View‘s Sunny Hostin called it “MAGA’s revenge fantasy,” while a New York Times op-ed warned of “parallel universes” fracturing national rituals.

Yet, the momentum favors TPUSA. Tickets for the live event—rumored for Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena—sold out in 90 minutes, with virtual streams projected at 10 million viewers. Underwood’s team hinted at involvement via a cryptic Instagram Story: a cross necklace over sheet music. Strait’s camp stayed mum, but sources say negotiations are “advanced.” Gospel speculation centers on Kirk’s personal favorites: Tomlin’s stadium-filling worship or Daigle’s crossover appeal. “It’s strategic genius,” says media analyst Claire McDonnell. “In a polarized Super Bowl, they’re carving a niche for the 62% of Republicans who feel alienated by the league.”

For Kelly and Kirk, it’s personal vindication. Kelly, post-Fox exile, has rebuilt via her podcast (3 million downloads monthly); Kirk, thrust into leadership after tragedy, channels grief into growth—TPUSA membership up 28% since October. Sunday’s splash marks a pivot: From campus rallies to cultural counteroffensives, they’re betting faith trumps flash. As speculation swirls—will Lee Greenwood join for “God Bless the USA”?—one truth resonates: The Super Bowl, once escapism’s apex, now mirrors America’s schisms. Kelly and Kirk’s show isn’t just halftime—it’s a halftime in the culture wars, pausing for prayer before the fourth quarter kicks off.