Right-wing podcaster Candace Owens has escalated her conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, directly implicating President Donald Trump and his administration in a video posted online Wednesday.
The former friend of Kirk claimed the conservative activist “gave so much of his life to Trump and to politics, and they were just like NOPE. That’s it,” before making the extraordinary allegation that commemorative holidays are evidence of government-orchestrated killings.
“So here’s a holiday. What is with them giving them a holiday after they kill them? As soon as they give you a holiday, they definitely killed you. There’s no question, they killed you,” Owens stated in the video, which quickly went viral on social media.
Kirk was shot dead on 10 September whilst speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and committing a violent crime in the presence of children. Prosecutors have announced their intention to seek the death penalty.
The White House has not responded to Owens’ claims, which come despite FBI investigations finding no evidence of involvement by Trump or any political figures in the assassination.
The Senate unanimously passed a resolution a week after Kirk’s death, led by Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida, designating 14 October, Kirk’s birthday, as a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk. President Trump issued a proclamation ordering flags to be lowered to half-staff at federal buildings until sunset on 14 September.
Kirk’s widow, Erika, joined President Trump at the White House last week to accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously on her husband’s behalf. She was unanimously elected as the new chief executive and chair of the board for Turning Point USA following her husband’s death.
Owens bizarrely suggested that such honours constitute what she called a “Fed signature” used to mark political assassinations. “It’s how they sign off after they murder you, so like holiday and a boulevard. And it’s never on the nice side of town either. Like, Charlie Kirk Boulevard is not gonna be on the nice side of town,” she claimed.
The conspiracy theory represents Owens’ latest in a series of increasingly outlandish accusations since Kirk’s death. After being excluded from speaking at Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona last month, Owens stated that the event, attended by nearly 100,000 people, was “being controlled by the White House”.
“Why would I be invited by anyone in Trump’s Zionist administration, as I am speaking about the topics that I am speaking? It’s common sense they’re not going to allow me to share the stage,” Owens said at the time. The right-wing podcaster attacked the Daily Mail for claiming she was “snubbed” from the event, though she did not attend the memorial as a guest.
She has additionally not been asked to join the national Turning Point speaking tour being continued in Kirk’s honour, nor has she joined the podcast being carried on by Kirk’s Turning Point USA staff.
Owens has released text messages that she claims showed Kirk’s views on Israel had been turning in the final weeks of his life. The messages, exchanged between Kirk and conservative commentator and Newsweek editor Josh Hammer the day before the assassination, were described by the latter as being taken out of context.
In previous episodes of her podcast, Owens alleged that billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman had staged a private “intervention” for Kirk at an event in the Hamptons, claiming Ackman “was very upset and threats were made”. She also alleged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had personally telephoned Kirk shortly before his death.
Ackman refuted Owens’ claims on social media, stating: “Let’s not let those emotions cause us to construct conspiracy theories that can cause innocent people serious and potentially deadly harm. One tragic and devastating loss is enough.” Andrew Kolvet, Kirk’s executive producer and spokesperson, added: “Charlie personally told me he had a very cordial relationship with Bill and the event was productive.”
Owens has additionally accused former Utah gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman of conspiring in Kirk’s murder, prompting Governor Spencer Cox to defend his former opponent. “I have to say that there are few things worse than having people make up lies, very publicly, that destroy your integrity. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I don’t believe Phil Lyman had anything to do with Charlie Kirk’s death and neither should you,” Cox wrote on social media.
The podcaster has also vowed to “violate” a gag order imposed in the case by 4th District Court Judge Tony Graf, who restricted attorneys from making public statements that could influence the ongoing trial. “Don’t worry about the gag order in the Charlie Kirk case. I plan to violate it on the world’s behalf. The things I’ve discovered this past week are enough to burn the house down. Yes, Charlie was betrayed. By everyone,” Owens wrote on social media platform X.
Kirk had built Turning Point USA into one of the most influential conservative youth organisations in America, known for its campus activism and annual conferences that drew thousands of young conservatives. More than 60,000 people attended the memorial service held at State Farm Stadium, which hosts the Arizona Cardinals NFL team.
Trump memorably eulogised Kirk at the service, comforting Erika as she mourned the loss of her husband. “We know the weight of this monumental loss is almost unbearable,” he said. “But even in the midst of heartache and pain too great to even fathom, you have somehow found the strength and deep faith to be a comfort to millions and millions of people.”
Robinson, the accused assassin, allegedly told his parents when they asked why he committed the crime: “There is too much evil and the guy spreads too much hate,” according to charging documents. He allegedly confessed to the shooting on Discord, a messaging platform, writing: “Hey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday. I’m sorry for all of this.”
FBI Director Kash Patel has said “a number of individuals” are currently being investigated who are linked to Robinson’s Discord account, with more than 20 people connected to the suspect. Robinson is being held without bail at Utah County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on 29 September.
Conservative commentators and Republican officials have condemned Owens’ conspiracy theories as dangerous and unfounded. The Anti-Defamation League has documented how antisemitic and anti-Israel conspiracy theories have proliferated following Kirk’s assassination, with some falsely claiming Israeli intelligence services were involved.
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