In an unexpected development within conservative political circles, Candace Owens and Erika Kirk, two influential figures, held a private, extensive meeting that spanned over four hours. The encounter came after a period of heightened public discord following the tragic death of Erika's husband, Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA.
The meeting took place amid a backdrop of escalating conflict that had captured the attention of conservative audiences across the United States. Owens, a former Turning Point USA communications director, had previously launched a series of public critiques in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's death on September 10.
Both Owens and Erika Kirk took to social media to describe their recent face-to-face dialogue. Owens shared that the conversation was "highly productive" and expressed her wish that it had occurred earlier. She admitted to her followers that while there were notable disagreements, the areas of common ground were unexpected and substantial.
"We agreed much more than I had anticipated. Of course, we also disagreed on various points and people as well. Most importantly, we were able to share intel and clarify intent,” Owens tweeted. She also promised her audience a detailed account of their meeting during her upcoming Tuesday livestream.
Despite her exhaustion, Owens emphasized the candid nature of their dialogue. Erika Kirk's response, though less detailed, echoed the constructive tone of the meeting. "Had a very productive conversation with @RealCandaceO. More to come from both of us. Looking forward to AmFest this week. Time to get back to work," Kirk posted on Twitter.
The reconciliation comes just in time for America Fest 2025, Turning Point USA's signature annual event in Phoenix, where both women are expected to participate. Vice President JD Vance is also slated to be a featured speaker alongside Erika Kirk.
Prior to their meeting, the conflict between Owens and Kirk had intensified, particularly after Kirk's appearance on Fox News where she criticized unnamed conspiracy theorists for exploiting her husband's death. Owens responded by comparing Kirk to Meghan Markle and questioning her motives in leading Turning Point USA.
Owens has been a vocal critic of the organization since her departure in 2020, which was attributed to ideological differences. Her podcast episodes addressing the assassination of Charlie Kirk have drawn millions of views, with some episodes garnering up to nine million views. In these episodes, she has floated theories about the incident and openly criticized the leadership of Turning Point USA.
The incident that sparked this entire controversy involved the arrest of Tyler Robinson, who is facing murder charges for allegedly shooting Charlie Kirk from a rooftop during a speech at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors claim that Robinson, through text messages to his roommate, admitted to planning the attack for a week, driven by an intolerance for Kirk's rhetoric.
While the full details of Owens and Kirk's conversation remain private, the implications of their meeting are significant for the conservative movement. Both have pledged to provide more information in the days ahead, suggesting a potential shift in the narrative surrounding one of the most contentious periods in Turning Point USA's history.
