• Owens claims Kirk "didn't like" Shapiro and accuses him of destroying her reputation after 2024 firing
• Daily Wire co-founder called Owens' Kirk theories "retarded" and labeled fellow speakers "cowards" for silence
• Feud deepens conservative rift as Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly defend Owens against Shapiro attacks

PHOENIX, AZ (TDR) — Candace Owens unleashes profane tirade against Ben Shapiro on Friday. The conservative podcaster responded to his AmericaFest speech condemning her conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirk's assassination.

"I draw the line with this miserable imp when it comes to Charlie Kirk," Owens said on her podcast. "You are an impostor, Ben. You're an impostor."

The attack escalated quickly. Owens called Shapiro a "little worm" and accused him of trying to destroy her career after The Daily Wire fired her in March 2024. She ended with an expletive-laden dismissal.

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"Truly, Ben Shapiro, f**k you and the midget horse that you rode in on. And I say that on behalf of the world."

HOLY CRAP:

Candace Owens just ROASTED Ben Shapiro for condemning her last night at @TPUSA's America Fest.

"Ben Shapiro, fu*k you and the midget horse you rode in on. I say that on behalf of the world." pic.twitter.com/xqw2wzuqxY

— Evan Kilgore 🇺🇸 (@EvanAKilgore) December 19, 2025

Owens Unleashes Response to Shapiro's AmericaFest Attack

Shapiro took the stage Thursday at Turning Point USA's annual conference in Phoenix. He used his speech to condemn Owens by name. He also attacked fellow speakers Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly for refusing to denounce her.

"The people who refuse to condemn Candace's truly vicious attacks, and some of them are speaking here, are guilty of cowardice," Shapiro said. "Yes, cowardice."

Shapiro called Owens' theories about Kirk's death "retarded" and said her claims made everyone "more retarded for having heard" them. He accused her of targeting Kirk's widow Erika Kirk and Turning Point staff with "specious and evil attacks."

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The Daily Wire co-founder warned the conservative movement faced danger "from charlatans who claim to speak in the name of principle but actually traffic in conspiracism and dishonesty."

Kirk Conspiracy Theories Fuel MAGA Rift

Charlie Kirk died on September 10. A gunman shot the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder while he spoke at Utah Valley University. Authorities charged Tyler Robinson, 22, with aggravated murder. Prosecutors say he acted alone and plan to seek the death penalty.

Owens has pushed unverified theories about Kirk's death for months. She claims Israeli spies participated in the assassination. She accuses Turning Point leaders of betraying Kirk or covering up the plot. She has offered no evidence for these claims.

Erika Kirk met with Owens on Monday. The four-and-a-half-hour conversation failed to resolve their conflict. Owens continued pushing conspiracy theories the next day. She even hosted a guest who implied Erika Kirk had foreknowledge of her husband's death.

"Stop," Erika Kirk said during a CBS News town hall when asked about the conspiracy theories. She accused Owens of profiting from her family's tragedy. She warned the speculation could taint the jury pool and help her husband's killer avoid justice.

Owens Claims Kirk "Didn't Like" Shapiro

Owens fired back at Shapiro's "cowardice" accusations on Friday. She claimed the AmericaFest crowd booed him. She said Kirk himself disliked Shapiro.

"You know those kids booed you on that stage," Owens said. "You're standing against everything that Charlie believed in because you weren't his friend. He didn't like you for that very reason."

Owens also attacked Shapiro's Jewish faith. She claimed Jewish people believe they are "contract lords." The accusation echoed rhetoric that led to her March 2024 firing from The Daily Wire.

The company parted ways with Owens after months of tension over her Israel commentary. Shapiro, who is Jewish, had called her behavior "disgraceful." Owens celebrated her departure, posting "I am finally free."

Battle Lines Drawn Across Conservative Media

The feud has split MAGA media figures into opposing camps. Kelly and Carlson have defended Owens. Bari Weiss, the CBS News editor-in-chief, backed Shapiro and called his speech "a barnburner."

Kelly responded to Shapiro's criticism Friday night at AmericaFest. She rejected his authority to decide "who gets excommunicated from the conservative movement."

"Nobody knew who the heck Ben Shapiro was when I started putting him on my shows on the Fox News Channel," Kelly said. "I helped make him a star."

Carlson also pushed back Thursday. He dismissed calls for "denouncing and deplatforming" as antithetical to Kirk's legacy. He denied any civil war existed within the Trump coalition.

"To hear calls for deplatforming and denouncing people at a Charlie Kirk event, I'm like, what?" Carlson said. "This is hilarious."

Deeper Divisions Threaten Trump Coalition

The public brawl threatens to overshadow the conference meant to honor Kirk's memory. Erika Kirk warned attendees about the growing fractures.

"Since the assassination, we've seen fractures, we've seen bridges being burned that shouldn't be burnt," she said in her opening remarks.

The conflict reflects deeper tensions within the Republican Party over Israel, antisemitism, and the direction of the MAGA movement. Younger conservatives increasingly question unwavering support for Israel. Shapiro and his allies see that shift as dangerous.

Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump Jr. are scheduled to speak at the conference this weekend. The event continues through Sunday.

When conservative icons tear each other apart over a murdered colleague's legacy, who decides what the movement actually stands for?

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