The conservative landscape has been thrown into unprecedented turmoil as Candace Owens, a prominent figure in the right-wing media, has unleashed a series of explosive claims regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. At the heart of her allegations are alleged private text messages from Kirk himself, purportedly sent just 48 hours before his death, which suggest a man under immense pressure, battling powerful pro-Israel donors, and facing severe financial repercussions for his editorial decisions. These revelations have not only reignited fervent speculation about Kirk’s death but have also exposed deep fissures within the MAGA movement and cast a shadow of suspicion over the leadership of Turning Point USA.

Candace Owens has consistently positioned herself as a relentless investigator into Kirk’s death, frequently using her platform to question the federal investigation and float alternative theories. Central to her narrative is the assertion that Kirk, once a staunch pro-Israel advocate, was undergoing a significant shift in his views, becoming increasingly critical of Israel’s policies. This alleged ideological pivot, Owens contends, put him on a collision course with powerful figures and financial backers.

The most electrifying of Owens’ claims revolves around an alleged confrontation between Kirk and billionaire Bill Ackman at a Hamptons event shortly before Kirk’s death. Owens alleged that Ackman, a vocal pro-Israel advocate, “privately cornered Charlie… and made, quote, threats” after Kirk questioned Israel’s handling of the war. While Ackman has vehemently denied these accusations, and Kirk’s producer, Andrew Calvert, claimed their relationship was cordial, Owens doubled down, suggesting that the meeting included discussions about deplatforming Tucker Carlson from an upcoming event due to his critical stance on Israel. Kirk, she claims, defiantly responded, “honestly, people telling me not to have Tucker, it makes me want to have Tucker.”

The real bombshell, however, came with Owens’ release of screenshots she claims are from a group chat involving Charlie Kirk, his pastor, and seven others. These texts, allegedly sent just two days before his assassination, paint a vivid picture of Kirk’s growing frustration. In them, Kirk purportedly writes: “Just lost another huge Jewish donor. 2 million a year because we won’t cancel Tucker. I’m thinking of inviting Candace.” More controversially, the messages show Kirk stating: “Jewish donors play into all of the stereotypes. I cannot and will not be bullied like this, leaving me no choice but to leave. Be pro-Israel cause.” A donor in the chat then allegedly responds, “Please do not invite Candace. That might be a good short term, but it’s not good long term.”

These screenshots, though not independently verified by major news outlets, have been widely circulated and discussed. Owens used them to bolster her assertion that Kirk was “done with Israel bullying him” and to underscore the immense pressure he faced. She argued that Kirk “did not back down out in that Hamptons meeting… nor in this text thread,” implying that his steadfastness in the face of financial threats may have ultimately cost him his life.

Beyond the immediate circumstances of Kirk’s death, Owens has also leveled accusations against the leadership of Turning Point USA. She alleges that “higher ups at Turning Point USA are trying to stop her and others from investigating Charlie’s death” and are actively “promoting their own conspiracies about what happened.” She expresses profound confusion as to “why it seems as though Turning Point USA executives… are not even remotely interested in challenging that official narrative. Who are they protecting exactly?” Owens even suggested that Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, and other influencers invoke her mourning as a shield against legitimate questions. “What sort of widow wouldn’t want people to investigate the assassination of their husband?” Owens challenged, fueling further suspicion.

Owens further fanned the flames by claiming that Kirk had expressed an increased interest in Catholicism with her, even sharing a screenshot where he allegedly said it “was looking better and better.” She then accused TPUSA staff of denying this, interpreting it as “small lies here and there about Charlie” and questioning their motives. This, combined with her belief that TPUSA has made “tens of millions of dollars since Charlie died,” led her to suggest that the organization might now be “run by that same money” that pressured Kirk, raising questions about whether his legacy is being exploited.

In a dramatic turn, Andrew Calvert, a spokesperson for TPUSA and producer of The Charlie Kirk Show, confirmed the authenticity of the leaked texts, stating that he was in the group chat and was the one who took the screenshots. He clarified that he had only provided them to the government during the initial investigation into Kirk’s death, never to the public. He expressed his relief that the texts were now public, noting, “one of the criticisms we’ve been… received is that we don’t care. We’re not investigating every lead.” Calvert emphasized the organization’s commitment to justice for Kirk, stating, “we want justice for Charlie more than anybody else. I really mean it. And no stone unturned.” He also added that the organization’s leadership refrains from public comment on the investigation to avoid interference.

Calvert also offered a more nuanced perspective on Kirk’s stance on Israel, describing it as “complicated and… a wrestle that was going on for months.” He characterized Kirk’s text messages as “blowing off steam” and “venting,” while maintaining that Kirk ultimately remained pro-Israel, albeit with criticisms.

However, not everyone views Owens’ actions as purely driven by a quest for truth. Critics, including The Guardian and media literacy experts like Derek Bear, co-host of the Spirituality Podcast, have suggested that Owens’ comments point to a larger pattern of “opportunism.” Bear noted that “one thing about Candace is that she’s an opportunist at every stage. No consistency. It’s about whatever is going to get eyeballs on me.” These critiques suggest that Owens, much like the organization she criticizes, might be leveraging Kirk’s death to serve her own agenda or to capitalize on emerging factions within the conservative movement.

The leak of these text messages and the subsequent firestorm unleashed by Candace Owens have irrevocably altered the narrative surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death. They have exposed the raw nerves of political and financial pressures within the conservative movement and forced a public reckoning with the uncomfortable possibility of a deeper, more sinister story. As the dust settles, the question remains: are these alleged texts the smoking gun that reveals a dark conspiracy, or are they merely another layer in a complex web of opportunism and speculation, further muddying the waters of an already tragic event? What is clear is that the divisions within the conservative right are more pronounced than ever, and Charlie Kirk’s legacy has become a battleground for competing truths.