Inside Candace Owens’ ‘sadistic and dangerous’ world monetizing baseless conspiracies
Candace Owens on the set of her podcast show “Candace” on May 3, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee. Getty Images
Candace Owens’ attacks on Erika Kirk appear to be driven by lingering resentment over her departure from Turning Point USA, sources told The Post.
The independent broadcaster, 36, described by insiders as “sadistic and dangerous,” has promoted baseless theories about the grieving widow and her late husband, activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on September 10.
People familiar with Owens’ work say her disregard for the truth, pursuit of attention, and provocative behavior are deliberate. Former colleagues at the Daily Wire reportedly found her difficult to work with, and guests on her podcast question whether she even believes her own claims. Sources say this pattern of controversial behavior stretches back to high school.
“Everything she is doing right now is because she wants to destroy Charlie’s legacy and the organization he built because he pushed her out of TPUSA,” one insider alleged. Owens served as communications director at TPUSA from 2017 to 2019.
“Charlie pushed her out because she was going a little bit nuts,” a source close to TPUSA told The Post, noting that he still kept in touch to maintain a friendship. After Charlie began dating Erika in 2018, the source added, Owens “was feeling usurped. Who is this interloper, who knew nothing, taking over?” She also was reportedly not invited to Charlie’s 2021 wedding.
Owens and Erika reportedly agreed to a truce over the weekend and planned to meet Monday to resolve their differences.
Among the conspiracy theories Owens has spread about Charlie’s death are claims involving Israeli Mossad agents, the U.S. military, Egyptian planes, and the French government, despite the assassination occurring in public and being captured on video. The alleged assassin is in custody awaiting trial. Comedian and commentator Ami Kozak, who has appeared on Owens’ podcast, described her behavior as a recurring pattern: “It’s sensationalism in pursuit of audience and self-aggrandizement — not a pursuit of truth.”
In 2024, the Anti-Defamation League named Owens “Antisemite of the Year,” citing statements that labeled Judaism as a “pedophile-centric religion” and claims that Israel was involved in 9/11, among other false conspiracies. Owens has also promoted the “blood libel” conspiracy theory. Kozak noted that many of Owens’ claims fail under scrutiny, adding, “What drives her is power and influence in the culture. But the house of cards is crumbling as more of her claims are unsubstantiated.”
Owens’ spokesperson told The Post that the allegations against her are “baseless, but very funny.” She also faces a major defamation trial next year in a lawsuit filed by French First Lady Brigitte Macron. The 220-page complaint alleges 22 counts of defamation and claims Owens launched a “campaign of global humiliation” for financial gain, repeatedly asserting false claims about Macron’s gender despite being provided with extensive documentation. Legal experts say the lawsuit could pose a significant financial risk for Owens.
Sources also allege Owens’ antisemitic comments have strained ties with her extended family. Her British father-in-law, Lord Michael Farmer, publicly condemned her remarks and emphasized his own longstanding work fighting antisemitism. Reports suggest that severing ties could lead to further financial complications for Owens and her husband, George Farmer, who previously attempted to launch the right-wing social media platform Parler.
Owens now lives in Nashville, where she hosts her show, which Fortune estimated generates up to $10 million annually. This is a notable shift from her early career in Connecticut, where she faced financial difficulties and legal disputes, including a failed lawsuit over apartment conditions in Stamford and a previous settlement with the Stamford Board of Education over threatening messages she received in high school.
After leaving TPUSA, Owens joined the Daily Wire, where sources say she quickly clashed with colleagues, making high demands on staff and resources. Her tenure ended last year after the company publicly condemned her antisemitic remarks. Owens confirmed the split in a statement, calling it “finally free.”
While Owens may now enjoy financial success and independence, her legal battles, including the Macron case, will test whether her defense of free speech holds up in court.
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