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 conservative and far-right political commentator and author known for her controversial views and promotion of conspiracy theories. She gained prominence through her pro-Trump activism and criticism of the Democratic Party. Owens has founded organizations like BLEXIT, which encourages Black Americans to leave the Democratic Party. Her commentary often focuses on topics related to race, politics, and culture, attracting both significant support and widespread criticism.

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

1915: Reference to the Leo Frank case of 1915

In a live broadcast on August 18, 2024, Candace Owens referenced the Leo Frank case of 1915. She claimed Leo Frank, a Jewish businessman wrongly convicted of murder and lynched in Georgia in 1915, killed Mary Phagan as part of a ritual murder.

1989: Reference to 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.

2015: Views on LGBTQ+ Rights

In 2015, Candace Owens viewed the achievement of same-sex marriage as civilization, but considered the pursuit of transgender rights, such as allowing biological men who identify as women to use women's restrooms and dominate women's sports, as "overcivilization".

2015: CEO of Degree180

In 2015, Candace Owens was the CEO of Degree180, a marketing agency. She also criticized conservative Republicans in her column.

2016: Launched SocialAutopsy.com

In 2016, Candace Owens launched SocialAutopsy.com, a controversial website intended to expose bullies on the Internet.

2016: Article Mocking Donald Trump

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

July 28, 2017: Statements on Transgender Individuals in the Military

On July 28, 2017, Candace Owens stated she favored banning transgender individuals undergoing sex reassignment surgery from serving in the U.S. military but not fully transitioned individuals.

2017: Stated Concern over Rising White Nationalism was Stupid

After the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Candace Owens said that concern over rising white nationalism was "stupid".

May 2018: Remarks on Women and Childlessness

In May 2018, Candace Owens suggested that women who do not marry or have children experience biochemical changes, citing Sarah Silverman, Chelsea Handler, and Kathy Griffin as examples. Silverman responded, and Owens accused Silverman of supporting terrorists and criminal gangs.

July 2018: Claim About Global Warming

In July 2018, Candace Owens claimed that global warming is not real, describing it as a lie to extract money from Americans.

August 2018: Dispute with Mollie Tibbetts' cousin

In August 2018, Candace Owens had a dispute with Sam Lucas, cousin of Mollie Tibbetts, who had been murdered by Cristhian Bahena Rivera. Tibbetts's cousin accused Owens of exploiting Tibbetts's death for "political propaganda."

October 2018: Candace Owens promotes mail bombing conspiracy theory

During the October 2018 United States mail bombing attempts targeting prominent Democrats, Candace Owens promoted the conspiracy theory that the mailings were sent by leftists. She deleted her tweet without explanation after the suspect was arrested.

December 2018: Comments at Turning Point UK Launch

In December 2018, at the launch of Turning Point UK, Candace Owens made comments about Adolf Hitler while discussing globalism and nationalism.

2018: Views on Immigration and Europe

In 2018, Candace Owens advocated for the Mexico–United States border wall, immediate deportation of illegal immigrants, and warned that Europe would become a Muslim-majority continent by 2050, leading to the implementation of sharia law.

2018: Dismissed Reports of a Resurgence in Hate Crimes

In 2018, Candace Owens dismissed reports of a resurgence in hate crimes, saying "All of the violence this year primarily happened because of people on the left."

February 2019: Clarification of Hitler Comments

In February 2019, Candace Owens clarified her earlier comments about Hitler on Twitter and during a U.S. House Judiciary Committee hearing, stating that Hitler was a homicidal maniac who killed his own people and that her comments were about his crimes against Jews.

April 2019: Testimony on Hate Crimes and White Supremacy

In April 2019, Candace Owens testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on the rise of hate crimes and white supremacists, claiming the Republican Party's Southern strategy was a "myth".

April 2019: Response to Hitler Comments Being Played in Hearing

In April 2019, Representative Ted Lieu played Candace Owens' comments about Hitler during a House Judiciary Committee hearing. Owens responded that Lieu omitted critical context to misrepresent her as endorsing Hitler, and Donald Trump Jr. praised Owens for calling out the Democrats' manipulation of facts.

June 2019: Comments on African Americans and Socialism

In June 2019, Candace Owens stated that African Americans were better off in the first 100 years after slavery abolition than they are now, blaming socialism.

2019: Referred to the KKK as a 'Democrat Terrorist Organization'

In 2019, during a hearing on hate crimes, Candace Owens referred to the Ku Klux Klan as a "Democrat terrorist organization".

April 2020: Candace Owens says COVID-19 deaths overcounted

In April 2020, Candace Owens stated that COVID-19 deaths were overcounted, a claim that contradicted health experts' assessments that the deaths were likely undercounted.

June 2020: Claims about George Soros and George Floyd

In June 2020, Candace Owens claimed George Soros paid people to protest George Floyd's murder and asserted Floyd "was not a good person", remarks that were retweeted by then-President Trump.

June 2020: Candace Owens refuses coronavirus vaccine

In June 2020, Candace Owens said that she would not get any coronavirus vaccine that became available and referred to Bill Gates as a "vaccine-criminal", accusing him and the WHO of experimenting on children with non-FDA approved vaccines.

October 2020: Candace Owens sues Lead Stories and USA Today

In October 2020, Candace Owens sued Lead Stories and USA Today after they fact-checked her Facebook posts downplaying the COVID-19 pandemic, alleging their articles led to ad revenue loss and the termination of a deal to advertise her book. She created a website to solicit donations for the lawsuit.

Blackout: How Black America Can Make Its Second Escape from the Democrat Plantation

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2020: Described the Democratic Party as a Plantation

In 2020, Candace Owens described the Democratic Party as a "plantation", and said "Black lives only matter to white liberals every four years—ahead of an election."

2020: Promotion of Election Fraud Claims

In 2020, after Joe Biden won the U.S. presidential election, Candace Owens promoted Donald Trump's claims of mass fraud, alleging that the election was rigged.

April 20, 2021: Comments on Derek Chauvin Trial

On April 20, 2021, Candace Owens claimed that the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, was "mob justice" and not a fair trial.

June 22, 2021: Candace Owens accuses Kimberly Klacik of money laundering

During an Instagram livestream on June 22, 2021, Candace Owens accused Kimberly Klacik of money laundering, tax fraud, illegal drug use, and misusing campaign funds. She also alleged Klacik was a "madame" who recruited strippers for a strip club owned by her husband.

July 2021: Launched the Freedom Phone

In July 2021, Candace Owens announced the launch of a device named the Freedom Phone, marketed toward Trump supporters and claimed to not be controlled by Apple or Google.

July 2021: Candace Owens' lawsuit dismissed

In July 2021, Candace Owens' lawsuit against Lead Stories and USA Today was dismissed, with the judge ruling that her posts contained COVID-19 misinformation.

August 8, 2021: Candace Owens stands firm against COVID-19 vaccine

On August 8, 2021, Candace Owens stated that she still had not received the COVID-19 vaccine and hadn't demanded her employees get it. She expressed pride in standing firm against bribery, media propaganda, and coercion.

December 2021: Candace Owens interviews Donald Trump about vaccines

In December 2021, Candace Owens interviewed Donald Trump about vaccine mandates. Trump explained that he shared her views on mandates, but he said that "the vaccine is one of the greatest achievements of mankind" and that "the ones that get very sick and go to the hospital are the ones that don't take the vaccine."

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, confirming the initial ruling that her posts contained COVID-19 misinformation.

March 2022: Candace Owens criticized for Ukraine claims

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. Applebaum labeled Owens as ignorant of history.

April 2022: Criticism of The Walt Disney Company

In April 2022, Candace Owens called The Walt Disney Company "child groomers and pedophiles" and advocated boycotting the company after Disney opposed Florida's "Parental Rights in Education Act".

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, stock car racing driver Brandon Brown, and NASCAR, alleging false statements about the LGBcoin and a pump and dump scheme by the founders.

May 2022: False Claim About Robb Elementary School Shooter

In May 2022, Candace Owens falsely claimed on Twitter that the gunman in the Robb Elementary School shooting could be transgender and was "cross-dressing," implying this indicated mental disturbance.

June 2022: Comments on Drag Queen Story Hour

In June 2022, Candace Owens described Drag Queen Story Hour as "child abuse" and argued that parents who take their children to such events are unfit and should have their children taken away.

October 3, 2022: Wearing "WHITE LIVES MATTER" Shirt with Kanye West

On October 3, 2022, Candace Owens posed with Kanye West wearing a "WHITE LIVES MATTER" shirt at the Adidas Yeezy SZN 9 fashion show in Paris. She also defended West's antisemitic tweet and accused the Anti-Defamation League of instigating antisemitism.

December 2022: Candace Owens makes claims about Olena Zelenska

In December 2022, Candace Owens faced backlash and fact-checking on social media after making unfounded claims about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's wife, Olena Zelenska.

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

In December 2022, Candace Owens promoted the anti-vaccine film "Died Suddenly", contributing to the spread of misinformation about vaccines.

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December 2022: Klacik's Lawsuit Against Owens Dismissed

In December 2022, the lawsuit filed by Kimberly Klacik against Candace Owens was dismissed with prejudice, and Klacik had to pay Owens $115,000.

2022: Candace Owens comments on 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 doesn't know or care enough about the Moon landing to call it a hoax.

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

In October 2023, Candace Owens condemned an Israeli strike on a Christian church in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of Christians. She stated, "No Christian should stay silent."

2023: Candace Owens says "Fuck Ukraine"

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

January 2024: Accusations Against Transgender People

In January 2024, Candace Owens accused transgender people of "mass drugging children" and claimed the "LGBTQ movement brought with it a sexual plague" in a post on X (Twitter), drawing condemnation from LGBTQ rights groups.

March 2024: Candace Owens departs The Daily Wire

In March 2024, Candace Owens departed The Daily Wire due to disagreements with Ben Shapiro over her stance on Israel, which he considered increasingly antisemitic. She had criticized US support for Israel and made comments about "political Jews."

March 2024: Endorsement of Brigitte Macron conspiracy theory

In March 2024, Candace Owens endorsed a conspiracy theory claiming that Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, was secretly transgender, stating she would stake her professional reputation on this claim. She also implicated the media in covering up this supposed truth.

March 2024: Dismissal from The Daily Wire

In March 2024, Candace Owens was dismissed from The Daily Wire following controversial comments and tensions with colleagues.

March 2024: Leaving The Daily Wire

In March 2024, Jeremy Boreing announced Candace Owens would be leaving The Daily Wire, a move believed to be related to a string of comments considered to be antisemitic, culminating in Owens liking a tweet referencing blood libel. There had also been months of tensions with co-host Ben Shapiro and other Daily Wire staff.

March 2024: Ending of Association with The Daily Wire

In March 2024, The Daily Wire announced they were ending their association with Candace Owens a few days after Owens liked a tweet asking Rabbi Shmuley Boteach if he was "drunk on Christian blood again", which was an apparent reference to the antisemitic blood libel accusation. Earlier she had condemned Boteach as a "monster", and claimed some Jewish people use their identity to shield themselves from criticism.

March 2024: Owens begins publicly claiming Brigitte Macron is a man

Since March 2024, Candace Owens has publicly claimed that Brigitte Macron is a biological man named Jean-Michel Trogneux, leading to a lawsuit against her in July 2025.

July 2024: Holocaust Denial and Criticism of Nazi Narratives

In July 2024, Candace Owens released an episode of "The Candace Show" on YouTube entitled "Literally Hitler. Why Can't We Talk About Him?", criticizing mainstream narratives regarding Nazi Germany and denying Nazi medical experiments, referring to the Holocaust as "an ethnic cleansing [that] almost took place".

July 2024: Claims about Ashkenazi Jews and Khazars

In July 2024, Candace Owens suggested Ashkenazi Jews trace their origins to Khazars, not biblical Jews, claiming they were immoral, corrupt, and infiltrated everywhere, further implying their elites are despicable and blaming them for the war in Ukraine and instances of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

August 2024: Announcement of Australian and New Zealand speaking tour

In late August 2024, Candace Owens announced plans for a speaking tour of Australian and New Zealand cities in November 2024. Local Jewish groups and others called for Owens to be denied entry due to her antisemitic views. However, others, like Juliet Moses of the New Zealand Jewish Council, defended her right to free speech. Immigration New Zealand stated Owens's visa application would be subject to a character test.

August 18, 2024: Candace Owens references blood libel

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

September 2024: Candace Owens suspended from YouTube

In September 2024, Candace Owens was temporarily suspended from YouTube for violating hate speech policies. One video leading to the suspension was an interview with Kanye West where he claimed Jewish people control the media. This occurred in September 2024.

October 27, 2024: Cancellation of Australian visa

On October 27, 2024, Australia's Immigration Minister Tony Burke canceled Candace Owens's visa due to her "capacity to incite discord," citing her comments about the Holocaust and slavery.

November 2024: Speaking tour controversy in Australia and New Zealand

In November 2024, Candace Owens faced significant controversy regarding her planned speaking tour in Australia and New Zealand. Jewish groups and figures called for her to be denied entry due to alleged anti-Semitic views, leading to debates about free speech and potential visa restrictions.

2024: Candace Owens Hosts Moon Landing Conspiracy Theorist

In 2024, Candace Owens hosted conspiracy theorist Bart Sibrel on her podcast to further promote the theory that the Moon landing was faked.

2024: Candace Owens comments on Zelensky and Ukraine

In 2024, Candace Owens inaccurately claimed that Zelensky is gay and said she did not want Ukraine to win against Russia, stating that "No amount of media brainwash in the world could ever make me hope that Zelensky triumphs over an orthodox Russia."

2024: Espousal of Antisemitic Conspiracy Theories

Since 2024, Candace Owens has espoused what some call "antisemitic conspiracy theories".

February 2025: Working on a Media Series About Harvey Weinstein

In February 2025, Candace Owens announced she was working on a media series titled "Harvey Speaks" about Harvey Weinstein, stating she believed he was "wrongfully convicted" of rape and sexual assault.

July 23, 2025: Macrons sue Candace Owens for defamation

On July 23, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, sued Candace Owens for defamation in Delaware state court. The lawsuit stems from Owens's public claims, since March 2024, that Brigitte Macron is a biological man named Jean-Michel Trogneux.

August 1, 2025: Candace Owens Interview with Tucker Carlson

On August 1, 2025, in an interview with Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens stated that she had received a phone call from President Donald Trump the preceding February, asking her to stop speaking on the topic of Brigitte Macron.

September 2025: Questioning aspects of Charlie Kirk's assassination investigation

In the weeks following Charlie Kirk's September 2025 assassination, Candace Owens questioned the investigation on her podcast, suggesting Tyler Robinson didn't act alone. She also implied a connection between Utah politician Phil Lyman and an Israeli conspiracy, leading to criticism for promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories. She released private text messages with Kirk and accused the Egyptian and French governments of involvement.

September 18, 2025: Macrons to provide evidence that Brigitte is a woman

On September 18, 2025, the Macrons' lawyer said that they would be providing "photographic evidence" that Brigitte is in fact a woman, in response to Candace Owens's claims that Brigitte is a man.

November 22, 2025: Candace Owens tweets about assassination claims

On November 22, 2025, Candace Owens tweeted that she had "credible enough" claims from a French government official that Macron had ordered members of the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group to assassinate her. She also referenced Charlie Kirk's assassination.

December 2025: Assertion about Jewish individuals and the slave trade

In December 2025, Candace Owens asserted that Jewish individuals were principally responsible for the transatlantic slave trade, not European and American merchants. She claimed that evidence supporting this allegation was deliberately suppressed by Jews and encouraged her audience to read Der Talmudjude, a discredited antisemitic text.

December 2025: Meeting with Erika Kirk and continued allegations

In December 2025, Candace Owens met with Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, after Kirk condemned conspiracy theories about her husband's death. Though the meeting was productive, Owens maintained her belief that Tyler Robinson was not the sole assassin and did not recant her allegations against Turning Point USA.

2025: Criticism of Trump

In 2025, Candace Owens called Trump "a chronic disappointment" and expressed embarrassment for endorsing him, criticizing his bombing of Iran and his administration's decision to freeze funding for Harvard University.

2025: Release of "Becoming Brigitte" miniseries

In 2025, Candace Owens released "Becoming Brigitte," a multi-part video miniseries promoting the conspiracy theory that Brigitte Macron is transgender. She also promoted the book Devenir Brigitte (Becoming Brigitte), which became a bestseller on Amazon, and claimed Brigitte Macron had been a participant in the Stanford prison experiment as part of a CIA mind-control program.

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January 27, 2026: Release of alleged leaked audio of a Turning Point USA meeting

On January 27, 2026, Candace Owens released alleged leaked audio on her podcast of a Turning Point USA meeting involving Erika Kirk and employees, where Kirk is heard discussing Charlie's memorial and merch sales. Owens criticized the tone of the meeting as inappropriate.

February 2026: Owens Praises General Order No. 11

In February 2026, Candace Owens praised General Order No. 11, a command by General Ulysses Grant during the American Civil War that expelled Jews from his military district. She stated that "Jewish supremacists had everything to do with the Civil War in America."