Candace Owens Levels Serious Allegations Against Conservative Organization
Conservative political commentator Candace Owens has launched a scathing attack against Turning Point USA, accusing the nonprofit organization of fabricating viewership numbers for its recent All-American Halftime Show. The alternative event, staged during the Super Bowl, was presented as a conservative response to the NFL's official halftime performance featuring Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny.
The Controversial Halftime Show
Turning Point USA, founded by the late activist Charlie Kirk, organized its own halftime spectacle on Sunday amid widespread conservative discontent over the NFL's selection of Bad Bunny, whose performance featured exclusively Spanish-language songs. The MAGA-aligned event was headlined by Kid Rock, with additional performances from country artists Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett.
Initial reports suggested millions of viewers had chosen the conservative alternative over the official Super Bowl halftime show. Remarkably, the YouTube live stream reportedly peaked at over five million concurrent viewers during the broadcast, with the total view count eventually reaching nineteen million according to platform statistics.
Owens' Explosive Claims
However, Candace Owens, a former communications director for Turning Point USA and once a friend of Charlie Kirk, has vehemently disputed these figures. On social media platform X, Owens declared both halftime options unsatisfactory, stating: 'I am sorry but I hate both options. On the one hand, we have a halftime show presented without a word of English spoken. On the other hand we have an organization that scammed its views by paying platform advertisers, followed by influencers to pretend they broke records.'
Owens elaborated further, responding to a post that initially showed the YouTube stream's total viewing figures at under six thousand. She commented: 'The problem with people who have a lot of money they didn’t earn, is that they tend to have no idea how stuff actually works. No, this is not a possible result if you truly had 5.2 million live viewers.'
The controversial podcaster also predicted: 'Note: what they will do now is spend an offensive amount on YouTube ads over night to bring their viewership up while we sleep.'
Broader Context and Tensions
This latest controversy follows months of escalating tension between Owens and Turning Point USA. In recent statements, Owens has suggested the organization bears some responsibility for Charlie Kirk's assassination, drawing comparisons between TPUSA's approach to criticism and that of liberal groups like Black Lives Matter.
Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow and current chief executive of Turning Point USA, has previously warned Owens against targeting her colleagues with online harassment. The organization has not yet responded to Owens' latest allegations regarding viewership manipulation.
The Emotional Halftime Tribute
The All-American Halftime Show began with a heartfelt dedication to Charlie Kirk, as the host announced 'this one's for you Charlie' before presenting a rousing rendition of the Stars and Stripes that delighted conservative viewers. Kid Rock performed initially under his stage name before being introduced by his real name, Robert Ritchie, for an intimate acoustic segment.
The emotional climax of the show featured cameras zooming out from Kid Rock's performance to reveal photographs of Charlie Kirk, his wife Erika, and their children, accompanied by the poignant message: 'In Remembrance of Charlie Kirk.'
Daily Mail has contacted Turning Point USA for comment regarding Owens' allegations of viewership manipulation, but no response has been received at the time of publication. The controversy highlights ongoing divisions within conservative media circles and raises significant questions about digital engagement metrics in politically charged entertainment events.
