The Controversial Rise of Candace Owens: Ambition, Conflict, and Consequences

Candace Owens has become one of the most polarizing figures in American media, with her recent attacks on Erika Kirk following the assassination of Charlie Kirk exemplifying the controversial approach that has defined her career. According to multiple sources who spoke with The Post, Owens’ relentless conspiracy theories about Kirk’s murder stem from a deep-seated jealousy and bitterness over being pushed out of Turning Point USA years earlier. “Everything she is doing right now is because she wants to destroy Charlie’s legacy and the organization he built because he threw her out of TPUSA,” one insider claimed. The fallout began during Owens’ tenure as TPUSA’s communications director from 2017 to 2019, when sources say Charlie Kirk ultimately removed her for increasingly erratic behavior. Her resentment apparently intensified when Kirk began dating Erika in 2018, with one source noting Owens “was feeling usurped” by someone she viewed as an “interloper.” The final slight came when Owens wasn’t invited to Charlie and Erika’s 2021 wedding, which sources describe as “really telling” about their deteriorated relationship.

Those who have worked with Owens describe a pattern of inflammatory behavior driven more by attention-seeking than genuine conviction. Comedian Ami Kozak, who appeared twice on Owens’ podcast, told The Post: “She goes against the grain for going against the grain’s sake. It’s sensationalism in pursuit of audience and self-aggrandizement — not a pursuit of truth.” This assessment aligns with her approach to the Kirk assassination, where despite video evidence and an arrested suspect, Owens has promoted baseless theories implicating Israeli Mossad agents, the U.S. military, Egyptian planes, and the French government. Her tendency to promote controversial and often factually dubious claims has extended to other topics as well, particularly regarding Jewish people, leading the Anti-Defamation League to name her “Antisemite of the Year” in 2024 for statements describing Judaism as a “pedophile-centric religion” and promoting various conspiracy theories about Jewish involvement in major events from 9/11 to Michael Jackson’s death.

Owens’ controversial commentary is now leading to significant legal consequences, most notably a defamation lawsuit filed by French First Lady Brigitte Macron in July 2025. The 220-page lawsuit alleges 22 counts of defamation and a “campaign of global humiliation” stemming from Owens’ persistent claims that Macron was born male, despite being provided extensive documentation proving otherwise. According to the complaint, Owens ignored multiple retraction requests and instead doubled down with an eight-part podcast titled “Becoming Brigitte” and related merchandise. Legal experts suggest Owens could face “serious financial difficulty” if the Macrons succeed, as they can demonstrate she had access to factual information but chose to ignore it. This legal battle coincides with strained family relations, including with her British father-in-law, Lord Michael Farmer, who felt compelled to publicly distance himself from her antisemitic remarks, potentially jeopardizing financial support that sources say Owens and her husband have relied upon.

The professional journey that led Owens to her current independent platform reveals a history of difficult workplace relationships and financial challenges. Before her media career took off, Owens faced eviction from a Connecticut apartment in 2017 for unpaid rent, responding with an unsuccessful lawsuit against her landlord claiming health issues from alleged mold. Earlier, in 2008, she and her father received a $37,500 settlement from the Stamford Board of Education after suing for the school district’s failure to protect her from racially and sexually threatening messages from fellow students. After leaving TPUSA, Owens joined The Daily Wire, where sources describe immediate friction with colleagues and management. One insider claimed she expected staff to park her car, demanded others conduct her research, and questioned why she hadn’t been featured on the cover of People magazine, leading one source to describe her as “one of the worst people I’ve ever worked with.”

Owens’ tenure at The Daily Wire ended in 2023 after co-founder Ben Shapiro publicly condemned her “disgraceful” antisemitic rhetoric. CEO Jeremy Boreing announced simply, “Daily Wire and Candace Owens have ended their relationship,” while Owens characterized the split more positively, writing: “The rumors are true — I am finally free.” This separation from institutional constraints has potentially increased Owens’ earning potential, with Fortune magazine estimating her company now generates up to $10 million annually. However, her independence has also removed guardrails that might have tempered her most controversial statements. When contacted by The Post, a spokesperson for Owens dismissed the allegations against her as “baseless, but very funny,” maintaining the defiant stance that has become her trademark even as legal challenges mount and former colleagues continue to speak out about their experiences with her.

The story of Candace Owens reveals the complex intersection of modern media, politics, and personality in America’s polarized landscape. From modest beginnings in Connecticut to becoming a multimillion-dollar independent broadcaster, Owens has built her brand on controversy and confrontation. While her supporters might view her as a fearless truth-teller unbound by conventional restrictions, her detractors see someone willing to spread harmful falsehoods for personal gain and attention. As she faces significant legal consequences for her statements about Brigitte Macron and continues to promote conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirk’s assassination despite reconciliation attempts with his widow, the coming months may determine whether Owens’ approach to media and commentary proves sustainable or whether, as one source suggested, “the house of cards is crumbling as more of her claims are unsubstantiated.” Either way, her journey illustrates how the media ecosystem can reward provocative personalities, sometimes at the expense of factual accuracy and personal relationships.