Rob McCoy, a pastor and co-chair of the faith division of Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA, has publicly rebuked conservative podcaster Candace Owens for spreading conspiracy theories following Kirk’s fatal shooting last week. Kirk, 31, was killed during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University. Owens, a former Turning Point USA communications director, has peddled unsubstantiated claims about the incident, including suggestions that Kirk may have been targeted due to his views on the Gaza war.
McCoy urged Owens to show the same respect Kirk had shown her, noting that Kirk “never operated nor entertained gossip or innuendo concerning Candace.” He added, “I only wish at this tragic time of mourning she would be the friend to Charlie that he was to her. He would never have treated Candace or her family in such a way had God forbid this tragedy been hers.”
Owens has alleged that billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman threatened Kirk during a meeting in the Hamptons last month over Kirk’s criticism of Israel. Both Ackman and Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of The Charlie Kirk Show, have denied the claims. Ackman stated in a social media post that he “never threatened Charlie Kirk” and that their interactions were “extremely cordial.” Kolvet confirmed that Kirk himself described the meeting as “productive.”
Meanwhile, other conservative figures, including Megyn Kelly, have acknowledged that Kirk felt “frustrated” and “pressured” over his Israel criticism, though they stopped short of endorsing Owens’ theories. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what he called an attempt to “hijack Charlie’s memory” after Netanyahu issued a statement on Kirk’s death. Carlson claimed Kirk was “appalled by what was happening in Gaza” and resented Netanyahu’s use of the US to prosecute wars.
Owens, who has a history of antisemitic commentary, continues to face backlash for her remarks. The suspect in Kirk’s killing, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, has been named by authorities.
