The assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk has sparked a firestorm, with former ally Candace Owens pushing explosive conspiracy theories, drawing a sharp rebuke from Kirk’s pastor, Rob McCoy.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot by a sniper on September 10 during a speaking event at Utah Valley University.
The suspect, Tyler James Robinson, faces charges of aggravated murder, felony firearm discharge, and obstruction of justice, per ABC News.
Owens, who met Kirk in 2017 as Turning Point USA’s Communications Director, alleges Kirk’s death was tied to his evolving views on Israel.

On her podcast, "Candace O," titled "They Are Lying About Charlie Kirk," she claimed, "Charlie’s rational thoughts about Israel were a no-no. Bill Ackman was very upset and threats were made."
Owens suggested Kirk was pressured into a trip to Israel for "reeducation camp" after rejecting funding, implicating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"It was at this time Bibi Netanyahu was called and Charlie was invited to Israel. This was an under duress situation," she said, adding, "Charlie said no to Bibi. Bill Ackman, if you would like to dispute that, I would love to hear what you say happened because our sources and what we have—it’s solid."
McCoy, Kirk’s pastor and friend, condemned Owens’ claims in a statement shared by The Babylon Bee’s Joel Berry:
Charlie Kirk was my friend and I was his pastor. I want to simply say this regarding Candace Owens: Charlie Kirk was a friend to Candace and never publicly spoke poorly of her though he disagreed with her. He never operated nor entertained gossip or innuendo concerning Candace. My only comment I offer regarding Candace is this: 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.

Bill Ackman, the jewish billionaire hedge fund manager named by Owens, denied her allegations on X, stating, "at no time have I ever threatened Charlie Kirk, Turning Point or anyone associated with him. I have never blackmailed anyone, let alone Charlie Kirk. I have never offered Charlie or Turning Point any money in an attempt to influence Charlie’s opinion on anything."
Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of "The Charlie Kirk Show," corroborated this, citing staff who were with Kirk “100 percent of the time” at an Ackman event, saying, "Bill never yelled at Charlie, never pressed him on Bibi, never gave him a list of Charlie’s offenses against Israel."

Owens doubled down, citing text messages she sent to Seth Dillon about a "Hamptons meeting," claiming, "I’m not someone who normally publicizes text messages, but my friend was shot in the neck. And I’m just not really in a state right now to be polite when it comes to the answers that I’m demanding."
Mystery continues to swirl around Charlie Kirk’s death, fueled by a troubled FBI investigation and unverified claims that Benjamin Netanyahu offered Kirk $150 million to promote Israeli interests.
As allegations fly and denials mount, the truth remains elusive, leaving Kirk’s supporters and skeptics alike grappling for answers.
Conversation