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 political commentator and author often described as far-right. She is known for her controversial views and promotion of conspiracy theories. She gained prominence through her commentary on American politics and culture, often criticizing the Democratic Party and Black Lives Matter movement. Owens has worked with various conservative organizations and media outlets, using platforms like social media and public speaking to disseminate her views.

Sections (4)

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

1989: Owens claims Ukraine wasn't a thing until 1989

In March 2022, Owens claimed that Ukraine "wasn't a thing until 1989". Her comments received criticism from historian Anne Applebaum.

2016: Launched SocialAutopsy.com

In 2016, Candace Owens launched SocialAutopsy.com, a website intended to expose internet bullies, which drew immediate controversy and criticism.

2017: Comments on White Nationalism

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

August 2018: Dispute with Mollie Tibbetts's cousin and criticism from Turning Point USA

In August 2018, Candace Owens had a dispute with Sam Lucas, cousin of Mollie Tibbetts, over alleged exploitation of Tibbetts's death. Turning Point USA criticized Owens for "public harassment" and executive board members resigned in protest. These events happened in August 2018.

October 2018: Promotion of conspiracy theory about mail bombing attempts

During the October 2018 United States mail bombing attempts, Candace Owens promoted the conspiracy theory that the mailings were sent by leftists on Twitter. She deleted her tweet without explanation after the arrest of a Republican and Trump supporter.

2018: Dismissed Reports of Resurgence in Hate Crimes

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

2019: Comments on KKK

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

April 2020: Claim that COVID-19 deaths were overcounted

In April 2020, Candace Owens claimed that COVID-19 deaths were overcounted, despite health experts suggesting that they were more likely undercounted.

June 2020: Rejection of COVID-19 vaccine

In June 2020, Candace Owens stated that she would not get any 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 vaccines.

October 2020: Lawsuit against 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. She alleged their articles led to advertising revenue loss and termination of a deal to advertise her book "Blackout."

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

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2020: Comments on Black Lives Matter and the Democratic Party

In 2020, Candace Owens criticized the Black Lives Matter movement, arguing that African Americans have a victim mentality and referring to the Democratic Party as a "plantation".

June 22, 2021: Accusations against Kimberly Klacik

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 a strip club owned by her husband.

July 2021: Launched Freedom Phone

In July 2021, Candace Owens announced the launch of the Freedom Phone, which was marketed towards Trump supporters and faced criticism for its lack of transparency.

UMIDIGI A9 Pro Unlocked Cell Phone, Helio P60, 6GB+128GB Expandable 256GB, 6.3 Inch FHD Touch Screen, Double-Sided 2.5D Curved Glass, 48MP Quad Camera, 4150mAh, Dual SIM 4G Volte

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July 2021: Dismissal of lawsuit against Lead Stories and USA Today

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

August 8, 2021: Assertion of not receiving COVID-19 vaccine and not mandating it for employees

On August 8, 2021, Candace Owens posted on Facebook that she had not received the COVID-19 vaccine and had not demanded that any of her employees get it either, stating she trusted her gut more than Dr. Fauci. She also claimed that the CDC proposed putting high-risk people into camps to shield low-risk people from them.

December 2021: Comments on Australia and COVID-19 vaccines

In December 2021, Candace Owens attracted attention for suggesting the United States should "invade Australia" due to its COVID-19 precautions. In an interview with Donald Trump, she discussed vaccine mandates. Trump stated that the vaccine is one of the greatest achievements of mankind.

February 2022: Upholding of lawsuit dismissal

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

March 2022: Criticism from Anne Applebaum regarding Ukraine comments

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, prompting Applebaum to label Owens as ignorant of history.

April 2022: Class-action lawsuit filed against LGBcoin, Owens, Brown, and NASCAR

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

December 2022: Backlash over claims about Olena Zelenska

In December 2022, Candace Owens faced backlash for making unfounded claims about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's wife, Olena Zelenska, which were debunked by Twitter users.

December 2022: Promotion of anti-vaccine film 'Died Suddenly'

In December 2022, Candace Owens promoted the anti-vaccine film "Died Suddenly".

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December 2022: Dismissal of Klacik's lawsuit and payment to Owens

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: Addressing a tweet about the Moon landing being "faked"

In 2022, when addressing a tweet about the Moon landing being "faked", Candace Owens stated on comedian Bill Maher's Club Random podcast that she does not know or care enough about the Moon landing to call it a hoax, stating that she has "never cared about the topic."

October 2023: Condemnation of Israeli strike on Christian church in Gaza

In October 2023, Candace Owens condemned an Israeli strike on a Christian church in Gaza that resulted in the deaths of Christians. She tweeted against propagandists pretending the bombing didn't happen and stated no Christian should stay silent.

2023: "Fuck Ukraine" statement

In 2023, 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.

March 2024: Departure from The Daily Wire after break with Ben Shapiro

In March 2024, Candace Owens departed from The Daily Wire due to a break with Ben Shapiro. Shapiro viewed her position on Israel as increasingly antisemitic, stemming from her criticisms of US support for Israel and comments about "political Jews".

March 2024: Endorsement of 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 and stated she would stake her professional reputation on it.

March 2024: Dismissal from The Daily Wire

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

March 2024: Announcement of Departure from The Daily Wire

In March 2024, Jeremy Boreing announced Candace Owens would be leaving The Daily Wire, which was related to controversial comments.

March 2024: Publicly claiming Brigitte Macron was a biological man

Since March 2024, Candace Owens publicly claimed that First Lady of France Brigitte Macron was a biological man named Jean-Michel Trogneux. This led to a lawsuit filed by the Macrons in July 2025.

August 2024: Plans for Australian and New Zealand speaking tour announced

In August 2024, Candace Owens announced a speaking tour of five Australian cities and Auckland, New Zealand, scheduled for November. This announcement triggered calls from Jewish groups and political figures to deny her entry due to her anti-Semitic views. Annetta Able, a survivor of Mengele's experiments, criticized Owens's denial of Nazi medical experiments.

August 18, 2024: Claiming Leo Frank killed Mary Phagan as part of a 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 Passover ritual murder, referencing blood libel. She alleged the existence of a "Frankish Cult" involved in pedophilia and incest, and claimed that "tens of thousands of pedophiles [who] hide from justice in Israel".

September 2024: Suspension from YouTube for hate speech

In September 2024, Candace Owens was temporarily suspended from YouTube for violating its hate speech policies. The suspension was partially due to an interview with Kanye West, during which West claimed that Jewish people control the media. This event happened in September 2024.

October 27, 2024: Australian visa cancelled

On October 27, 2024, Australia's Immigration Minister Tony Burke cancelled Candace Owens's visa, citing her "capacity to incite discord" based on comments downplaying the Holocaust and making claims about Muslims.

November 2024: Speaking tour

In November 2024, Candace Owens planned a speaking tour in Australia and New Zealand. However, Jewish groups and political figures opposed her entry due to her anti-Semitic views. Owens confirmed that she would not be canceling her travel plans.

November 2024: Owens barred from entering New Zealand

In November 2024, Candace Owens was initially barred from entering New Zealand after her entertainer's work permit was refused due to being excluded from another country.

2024: Accusation against Benjamin Netanyahu

In 2024, Candace Owens accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of killing children, calling Israel's actions "a holocaust that is being committed on Palestinian children and women."

2024: Inaccurate claims about Zelensky and Ukraine-Russia conflict

In 2024, Candace Owens inaccurately claimed that Zelensky is gay and said she didn't 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. Spiritually, I just know that's wrong. You simply do not support a homosexual actor that is locking up churches and bishops."

February 2025: Working on "Harvey Speaks" Media Series

In February 2025, Candace Owens announced she was working on a media series titled "Harvey Speaks" on Harvey Weinstein.

July 2025: The Macrons filed a suit against Owens

In July 2025, The Macrons filed a 22-count suit against Owens, seeking punitive damages for her promotion of the conspiracy theory that Brigitte Macron was secretly transgender.

July 23, 2025: Lawsuit filed by the Macrons

On July 23, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron sued Candace Owens and her company for defamation in Delaware state court over claims that Brigitte Macron was a biological man named Jean-Michel Trogneux.

August 1, 2025: Owens discusses Trump phone call regarding Macron claims

On August 1, 2025, in an interview with Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens mentioned that she had received a phone call from President Donald Trump the preceding February, where he had asked her to stop speaking on the topic that Brigitte Macron was a biological man.

September 2025: Controversy following Charlie Kirk's assassination

In September 2025, following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Candace Owens questioned the investigation on her podcast, implying an Israeli conspiracy was responsible for Kirk's death. This led to criticism and accusations of promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories.

September 18, 2025: Macrons to provide photographic evidence of Brigitte being a woman

On September 18, 2025, the Macrons' lawyer stated that they would be providing "photographic evidence" to prove that Brigitte Macron is, in fact, a woman.

October 14, 2025: High Court challenge lost

On October 14, 2025, Candace Owens lost her High Court challenge against the Australian government's decision to deny her entry to Australia. The judges ruled that Australia's freedoms applied only to Australian citizens and residents.

2025: Criticism of Trump's lack of 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.