Candace Owens made several controversial statements about Charlie Kirk after his assassination in September 2025. Owens claimed that Kirk was "changing his opinion" on Israel and alleged that billionaire Bill Ackman pressured Kirk to visit Israel during a meeting in the Hamptons. She also suggested that Kirk was moving away from Protestantism towards Catholicism, saying to him, "You are too smart to be a Protestant," just days before his death. Owens implied that Kirk's assassination was linked to his stance on Israel, suggesting a conspiracy involving his top Jewish donors who, she claimed without evidence, pressured him shortly before he was killed. These remarks sparked backlash. Bill Ackman denied the claims, labeling them "totally false," and the pastor of the church Kirk attended publicly condemned Owens for spreading conspiracy theories. Additionally, Jewish leaders denounced Owens's comments as antisemitic conspiracy theories exploiting Kirk's death. Owens's statements exacerbated tensions in the conservative community, with some viewing her claims as divisive and unfounded. Owens and Kirk had been close earlier in their careers, with Owens describing Kirk as "like a brother" and her "best friend," but their relationship showed public strains in recent years.
