The petty public spat between Candace Owens and Erika Kirk has blown up into a spectacle that conservatives should find embarrassing, not empowering. Erika, grieving the assassination of her husband Charlie Kirk, publicly told Owens to “Stop” in a CBS town hall — a reasonable plea for decency from a widow trying to protect her family amid chaos. Patriots who value respect for the grieving should stand with Erika’s request that conspiracy-mongering and opportunistic theater end now.
Make no mistake: Candace Owens has a right to ask tough questions, but repeatedly pushing unfounded theories about Charlie’s murder and leveling nebulous financial accusations against Turning Point USA crosses a line. Those claims have circulated widely online and risk turning a legitimate call for transparency into baseless suspicion that tears our movement apart. Conservatives should demand evidence and due process, not midnight internet witch hunts that hand the narrative to our enemies.
Meanwhile, Erika Kirk’s elevation to lead Turning Point USA after her husband’s death is a sensitive matter that deserves respect and scrutiny on sober terms. Her background and recent appointment were reported as the organization sought continuity in leadership after a devastating loss, and Americans who care about the future of conservative youth outreach should want that transition handled responsibly. We can mourn Charlie, support his family, and still insist the organization be transparent and accountable in its governance.
The row has also spilled onto social platforms, with public unfollows and sniping that make our movement look like a reality TV feud rather than a principled cause. Owens has attacked Erika’s calls for privacy as “Meghan Markle Syndrome,” while fringe figures have escalated the rancor into full-blown spectacle, amplifying division instead of solutions. Conservatives who want to win should reject the chaos merchants — internal discipline and unity are how we beat the left, not showboating and character assassination.
For the record, agencies have pushed back on some of the wildest claims: the Treasury recently informed Erika’s office that the tax-exempt entities she oversees are not under IRS investigation, a fact that should temper the rumor mill. That kind of official clarification matters, and anyone serious about reforming institutions should use formal avenues rather than broadcasting conspiracy theories. We should hold organizations to account through facts and legal processes, not Twitter tantrums.
If we mean what we say about defending truth and American values, now is the time for conservative leaders to act like adults. Defend the grieving, demand transparency, and stop giving the left free ammunition by indulging in public feuds that distract from the fight for our country. Real patriots prioritize the movement over personal drama — it’s time both sides start behaving like it.
