The character arc of conservative podcaster Candace Owens is shaping up to be one for the history books. From being a die-hard follower of MAGA and President Donald Trump to now having all the smoke for Turning Point USA and Ben Shapiro, Owens’ political affiliations have flipped and flopped so many times that now it’s time we finally talk about it all.
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The 36-year-old commentator has certainly had her fair share of controversies over the years. Antisemitic rhetoric and inflammatory language has even cost her a job, gotten her banned from countries and landed her in deep trouble with the president of France. Now, however, it seems Owens is trying to somewhat turn over a new leaf, especially following the death of her close friend, Charlie Kirk.
She’s even agreed to have a private conversation with Kirk’s widow after repeatedly bashing the new Turning Point CEO. But in order to understand where Owens is now, you’d have to start at the beginning…
Coming Out as a Conservative
Before Owens became one of the most controversial political voices in media, she was a certified Democrat. It wasn’t until 2017– around the time President Donald Trump was first elected– that Owens announced her departure from the liberal party and transitioned to being a conservative on YouTube. She was even a known critic of Trump… but then, something happened.
The Makings of Candace Owens
The commentator transitioned from talking about politics on her blog to landing a gig at The Daily Wire in 2021. The conservative news outlet founded by Ben Shapiro largely supported Owens despite her seemingly dangerous conspiracies and incendiary language, but in 2024, the decision was made to fire Owens over antisemitic rhetoric, CNN reported.
This of course meant she was no longer bound by the political correctness of the media. Instead, Owens built her own platform through her online podcast. There, she could be her complete self– even if that means critiquing the president of the United States, whom she once supported.
Owens Admits She Regrets Choosing Trump
Owens used to be one of the president’s loudest supporters, but in June– only months into President Trump’s second term– she admitted to voting for the wrong candidate.
“He’s been a chronic disappointment,” Owens told British show host Piers Morgan. “I feel embarrassed that I told people to go vote for him because this wasn’t going to happen, and it is happening,” she added, referring to Trump’s controversial attack on Iran. “The picture of politics in America is going to look very differently.” Owens continued, “I don’t know where to go from here…but this is not the candidate that I voted for.”
Looking at the Numbers
On YouTube, Owens has over 5.68 million subscribers. These people tune into her live-streamed podcast on a weekly basis. Outside of YouTube, Owens has 6.5 million followers on Instagram, 7.5 million followers on X and over 6 million on TikTok.
When you have a global platform like this, the attention is certainly on you at all times. And it seems like as time– and Trump’s second term– continues, Owens is realizing the true weight of her presence.
Owens Offers an Olive Branch to the Left
While continuing her apology tour, Owens stopped on Sept. 16 to try to make amends with many of her harshest critics, we reported. “ If you are on the left, you are not my enemy! If you’ve fallen for ideologies I did too, OK? I’ve come out the other side,” she said. “We have to now meet in the middle and we need to look at the true evil that rules over us, OK.”
She added, “This is not left or right— I don’t care. […] We are fighting evil people who rule over us and impact both sides.” This marked one of the rare times Owens had ever tried to come to a solid understanding with the left.
Banned from Australia
Owens applied for an Australian visa back in October 2024 in preparation for her speaking tour dates around the country. But before the conservative could even touch down in the nation, she was reportedly banned from entering, we previously reported.
Unlike in the U.S., free speech in Australia stops when you’re accused of spreading misinformation and bigoted language. In Owens’ case, past antisemitic remarks landed her on the country’s watch list… and eventually, her visa was denied completely.
“Inciting discord might be the way some people make money, but it’s not welcome in Australia. Australia’s national interest is best served when Candace Owens is somewhere else,” Minister for Home Affairs of Australia Tony Burke said.
French President Sues Owens for Defamation
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte filed a lawsuit against Owens after she repeated the debunked conspiracy that the first lady was born male. We previously told you Owens was hit with the 22-count defamation lawsuit in July. This was after multiple attempts by the French family to get Owens to stop spreading lies.
The Macrons plan to submit scientific information to discredit Owens when they go to court. They also hired a private investigator to trace back the origin of Owens’ conspiracies.
President Trump Weighs In on Macron Drama
It’s not shocking that given Owens’ well-documented history with stirring up trouble, eventually Trump would try to get involved. We told you all about the president reportedly pleading with Owens to leave first lady Macron alone… but she didn’t listen.
In response to Owens’ alleged private conversation with Trump, the White House told TMZ, “We do not comment on the President’s private conversations that may or may not have occurred.”
Owens’ BLEXIT Booted from HBCU Campus
BLEXIT, the non-profit group co-founded by Owens, decided to set up shop on the campus of Hampton University in Virginia during homecoming week… and surprise, surprise, the historically Black university was not having it, we also told you. The BLEXIT movement aims to encourage Black people to leave the Democratic Party, but without following proper protocol, university officials said they had no choice but to shut it all down.
“As a matter of public safety, Hampton must know who is on campus, why they are here, and how to contact them in case of an emergency. Vendors and guests following established procedures allow us to coordinate access and ensure that all participants are properly credentialed and protected. Without this step, we cannot extend the privileges of official guest status or guarantee safety protocols,” according to an official statement on Hampton’s website.
The Death of Charlie Kirk
On Sept. 10, far-right podcaster Charlie Kirk was assassinated in one of the most violent political murders in American history. Kirk was a close friend to Owens, who vowed to uncover the truth about his death. According to Owens, the full story behind the murder is being kept from the public. And it’s this criticism of the Trump administration, MAGA conservatives and even Kirk’s widow that has been a driving force behind Owens’ recent dissent from the Republican party.
Alleged International Interference in Kirk’s Death?
On Nov. 17, Owens took to her podcast to declare that Kirk was being tracked by Egyptian planes prior to his killing. Owens, like many of Kirk’s followers, view him as a martyr. She even compared Kirk’s murder to that of former President John F. Kennedy. Owens argued “the same playbook” allegedly being used to hide the truth about Kirk was also used to allegedly undermine the investigation into JFK’s assassination.
Owens also claimed Kirk’s wife was the real target of Egyptian surveillance, alleging Erika Kirk had been followed by two planes since 2022, according to Owens. There is zero solid proof to back up Owens’ theory.
Calling Out Turning Point USA
According to Owens, Turning Point USA (TPUSA)– the organization founded by Kirk– has some shady business dealings going on ever since his murder. “I am making a personal plea to every well-meaning person who donated to this Godforsaken organization to request a refund,” Owens said on her podcast. She’s accusing the organization, now run by widow Erika, of scamming its followers and defacing Kirk’s legacy.
U.S. Treasury Department Shuts Owens Down
After Owens’ blatant accusations against TPUSA, a private letter was sent to the new CEO of Turning Point to clarify that the organization is not being probed, CBS News reported. “The IRS is able to provide this type of information upon request by the taxpayer,” a senior Treasury official told the Daily Mail.
“And in this case, it’s hideous that malicious lies and smears obligated her to make the request,” a senior Treasury official said. Owens’ team told the outlet in response that they “never said the Treasury was investigating.”
Erika Kirk Responds
Erika has remained relatively silent against Owens’ theories about her deceased husband. But she finally broke her silence to say, “I do not have time to address the noise. My silence does not mean that I am complacent. My silence does not mean that somehow Turning Point USA and all of the handpicked staff that loved my husband and my husband loved them is somehow in on it.”
She added to Fox News, “I thought these people are human. We are all grieving in our own way. And they are trying to find the answer to something that happened that was so evil.” According to reports, Owens and Erika have reportedly agreed to a private meeting on Monday (Dec. 15) to discuss all of the drama and fallout.
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