Major Controversies Surrounding Candace Owens: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Candace Owens—discover key moments of controversy.

Candace Owens is an American political commentator and author known for her conservative and far-right political views. She gained prominence through her commentary on American politics and culture, often engaging in controversial discussions. Owens is recognized for her conservative activism and media presence, advocating for conservative principles within the American political landscape.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2015: CEO of Degree180

In 2015, Candace Owens was the CEO of Degree180, a marketing agency with a blog where she criticized conservative Republicans.

2016: Launch of SocialAutopsy.com

In 2016, Candace Owens launched SocialAutopsy.com, a controversial website intended to expose online bullies by tracking their digital footprint, leading to criticism for potentially doxing internet users.

2016: Controversial article mocking Donald Trump

In 2016, Degree180, the blog featured an article mocking Donald Trump's penis size.

2017: Reaction to Charlottesville

After the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Owens dismissed concern over rising white nationalism.

2017: Became a conservative

In 2017, Candace Owens declared she had become a conservative overnight following the backlash from her Social Autopsy website, claiming liberals were the 'real racists'.

August 2018: Candace Owens disputes with Mollie Tibbetts' cousin.

In August 2018, Candace Owens had a dispute with Sam Lucas, cousin of Mollie Tibbetts, who criticized Owens for exploiting Tibbetts's death for political propaganda. Owens responded by criticizing Lucas's comments as a "strange" attack on Trump supporters. The University of Iowa's chapter of Turning Point USA criticized Owens, leading to resignations.

October 2018: Candace Owens promotes conspiracy theory about mail bombing attempts.

During the October 2018 United States mail bombing attempts, Candace Owens promoted the conspiracy theory on Twitter that the mailings were sent by leftists, later deleting her tweet without explanation after the suspect was identified as a Republican and Trump supporter.

2018: Candace Owens begins to distance herself from far-right conspiracy websites.

In 2018, Candace Owens was a guest host on Fox News and began to distance herself from far-right conspiracy websites, although she refused to criticize InfoWars or its hosts.

2018: Dismissed reports of a resurgence in hate crimes

In 2018, Owens dismissed reports of a resurgence in hate crimes, attributing violence to people on the left.

2019: Views on the KKK

In a 2019 hearing on hate crimes, Owens referred to the KKK as a "Democrat terrorist organization".

April 2020: Candace Owens claims COVID-19 deaths were overcounted.

In April 2020, Candace Owens claimed that COVID-19 deaths were overcounted, a claim contradicted by health experts. She also expressed skepticism about a potential COVID-19 vaccine.

June 2020: Candace Owens states she will not take the coronavirus vaccine.

In June 2020, Candace Owens stated that she would not take any available coronavirus vaccine, referring to Bill Gates as a "vaccine-criminal" and accusing him and the WHO of experimenting on African and Indian children with non-FDA approved drug vaccines.

October 2020: Candace Owens sues Lead Stories and USA Today.

In October 2020, Candace Owens sued Lead Stories and USA Today for fact-checking her Facebook posts downplaying the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming it led to lost advertising revenue and the termination of a book deal with Facebook to advertise her book.

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2020: Views on Black Lives Matter and the Democratic party

In 2020, Candace Owens made statements criticizing the Black Lives Matter movement and the Democratic Party, accusing them of exploiting black voters.

June 22, 2021: Candace Owens accuses Kimberly Klacik of money laundering and other misconduct.

On June 22, 2021, Candace Owens accused former Republican congressional candidate Kimberly Klacik of money laundering, tax fraud, illegal drug use, misusing campaign funds, and being a "madame" who recruits strippers for her husband's strip club.

July 2021: Launched the Freedom Phone

In July 2021, Candace Owens launched the Freedom Phone, marketed toward Trump supporters, which was later revealed to be a rebranded Chinese smartphone.

July 2021: Candace Owens' lawsuit is dismissed.

In July 2021, the judge dismissed Candace Owens' lawsuit, ruling that her posts contained COVID-19 misinformation.

August 8, 2021: Candace Owens reaffirms her decision not to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

On August 8, 2021, Candace Owens reaffirmed her decision not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and expressed pride in standing firm against bribery, media propaganda, coercion, and censorship, while claiming that the CDC proposed putting high-risk people into camps.

December 2021: Candace Owens states the United States should "invade Australia".

In December 2021, Candace Owens attracted media attention when she stated that the United States should "invade Australia", citing its public health precautions against COVID-19. During an interview the same month, Donald Trump discussed the COVID-19 vaccine, praising its achievements while acknowledging individual choice.

February 2022: Dismissal of Candace Owens' lawsuit upheld.

In February 2022, the dismissal of Candace Owens' lawsuit against Lead Stories and USA Today was upheld.

March 2022: Candace Owens faces criticism for views on Ukraine.

In March 2022, Candace Owens faced criticism from historian Anne Applebaum for claiming that Ukraine "wasn't a thing until 1989" and dismissing the notion of a Russian-led genocide in the country, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Applebaum labeled Owens as ignorant of history.

April 2022: Class-action lawsuit filed against LGBcoin, Owens, and others.

In April 2022, a class-action lawsuit was filed in Florida against LGBcoin, Candace Owens, Brandon Brown, and NASCAR, alleging false statements about the cryptocurrency and a pump and dump scheme by the founders.

December 2022: Candace Owens makes unfounded claims about Olena Zelenska.

In December 2022, Candace Owens faced backlash and fact-checking after making unfounded claims about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's wife, Olena Zelenska. Her allegations were debunked by Twitter users.

December 2022: Candace Owens promotes anti-vaccine film Died Suddenly.

In December 2022, Candace Owens promoted the anti-vaccine film Died Suddenly, further propagating misinformation about vaccines.

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December 2022: Klacik's lawsuit against Owens dismissed, Klacik to pay Owens $115,000.

In December 2022, Kimberly Klacik's defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens was dismissed with prejudice, and Klacik was ordered to pay Owens $115,000.

2022: Candace Owens addresses a tweet about the Moon landing.

In 2022, Candace Owens addressed a tweet about the Moon landing being "faked" by stating on Bill Maher's Club Random podcast that she does not know or care enough about the Moon landing to call it a hoax.

October 2023: Candace Owens condemns Israeli strike on Gaza church.

In October 2023, Candace Owens condemned an Israeli strike on a church in Gaza that resulted in Christian deaths, criticizing propagandists and asserting no Christian should remain silent, clarifying she believes no government has the right to commit genocide.

2023: Candace Owens expresses opposition to American military aid to Ukraine.

In 2023, Candace Owens expressed opposition to American military aid to Ukraine, stating "I'm very much a person who has said from the very beginning, 'Fuck Ukraine', you know, and I stand by that".

March 2024: Candace Owens departs from The Daily Wire over stance on Israel.

In March 2024, Candace Owens departed from The Daily Wire due to her stance on Israel, which Ben Shapiro viewed as increasingly antisemitic, criticizing US support for Israel and making comments about "political Jews" that Shapiro deemed "absolutely disgraceful."

March 2024: Candace Owens endorses conspiracy theory about Brigitte Macron.

In March 2024, Candace Owens endorsed the conspiracy theory that Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, was secretly transgender, stating she would stake her professional reputation on it.

March 2024: Departure from The Daily Wire

In March 2024, Candace Owens left The Daily Wire following controversial comments considered antisemitic.

August 2024: Jewish groups call for Candace Owens to be denied entry to Australia and New Zealand.

In August 2024, after Candace Owens announced plans for a speaking tour of Australia and New Zealand in November 2024, local Jewish groups called for the governments to deny her entry due to her anti-Semitic views. Holocaust survivor Annetta Able also called for her to be blocked from entering.

August 18, 2024: Candace Owens claims Leo Frank killed Mary Phagan as part of ritual murder.

On August 18, 2024, Candace Owens claimed that Leo Frank, a Jewish businessman lynched in 1915, killed Mary Phagan as part of a ritual murder, referencing blood libel. She further claimed the existence of a "Frankish Cult" engaging in pedophilia and incest and stated that thousands of pedophiles hide in Israel.

September 2024: Candace Owens suspended from YouTube for hate speech.

In September 2024, Candace Owens was temporarily suspended from YouTube for violating its hate speech policies. The suspension stemmed from a video, including an interview with Kanye West, where West made antisemitic claims about Jewish people controlling the media.

2024: Candace Owens claims Zelensky is gay and opposes Ukraine's victory.

In 2024, Candace Owens claimed that Zelensky is gay and voiced her opposition to Ukraine winning against Russia, stating she cannot support a homosexual actor who is locking up churches and bishops.

February 2025: Announced media series on Harvey Weinstein

In February 2025, Candace Owens announced working on a media series titled "Harvey Speaks" on Harvey Weinstein, expressing her belief in his wrongful conviction.

July 2025: The Macrons file a suit against Candace Owens.

In July 2025, The Macrons filed a suit in Delaware, against Candace Owens because she made claims in March 2024 that Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, was secretly transgender.

July 23, 2025: Macrons sue Candace Owens for defamation and false light.

On July 23, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron sued Candace Owens and her company for numerous counts of defamation and false light in Delaware state court.

2025: Candace Owens criticizes Trump's response to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

In 2025, Candace Owens criticized President Trump's lack of response to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and his announcement of building a resort on the ruins of Gaza.