The ongoing dispute between political commentator Candace Owens and Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a conservative nonprofit organization, has reached new heights following the tragic assassination of TPUSA's founder, Charlie Kirk. Owens, once a prominent figure within TPUSA and a close associate of Kirk, has publicly disputed the circumstances surrounding his death, suggesting there could be more to the story than meets the eye.
TPUSA has been quick to refute Owens' assertions, labeling them as "reckless," "unsubstantiated," and ultimately "damaging" to both the organization's reputation and the memory of Charlie Kirk. In an effort to address these claims and honor their late founder, TPUSA announced a special livestream event scheduled for December 15 in Phoenix. Owens, seemingly eager to engage, expressed her willingness to participate in the discussion, suggesting she could join virtually at any given time.
The situation took a turn when Owens discovered the livestream announcement on social media rather than through direct communication, which she found peculiar. Despite the confusion, she indicated her readiness to alter her daily podcast schedule to accommodate the event. TPUSA producer Blake Neff, while extending a formal invitation to Owens, emphasized that the broadcast's purpose was to pay tribute to Kirk rather than to serve Owens' agenda.
As the details of the livestream unfolded, Owens proposed an alternative approach. Opting to leverage her platform, she announced plans to host a simultaneous broadcast, providing real-time commentary on TPUSA's event. This strategy reflects a broader trend within the conservative movement, where figures like Owens leverage digital media to directly engage with their audience and shape public discourse.
Owens has raised several questions regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk, pointing to alleged anomalies such as the involvement of a 71-year-old man claiming responsibility, removal of surveillance equipment, and suspicions of internal betrayal. Her history with TPUSA and personal connection to Kirk lend a degree of gravity to her critique, though her theories involving foreign entities and military infiltration lack substantiation according to media analysis platform MEAWW.
The back-and-forth between Owens and TPUSA has not been without consequence. TPUSA staff have reportedly faced harassment in the wake of Owens' public comments, a situation that Neff described as detracting from the organization's ability to properly mourn their loss. Conversely, Owens' actions have also polarized her own followers, with some questioning the validity of her speculative claims and others rallying to her defense, suggesting TPUSA may be engaging in deceitful practices.
The controversy has drawn attention from various corners of the conservative sphere, with figures like Tim Pool offering pointed criticism of Owens' behavior, while others like the social media account Sword Truth accuse TPUSA of gaslighting and setting Owens up to fail.
As the date of the livestreams approaches, the conservative community watches with rapt attention. The outcome of these broadcasts stands to significantly sway the credibility and influence of both Owens and TPUSA within the broader conservative movement. With the stage set for a high-stakes exchange, the ramifications of this public dispute may echo far beyond the immediate controversy, shaping the future dynamics within conservative circles.
