Candace Owens alleged Charlie Kirk faced threats and payoff offers over his Israel stance before his death, a claim denied by Bill Ackman, while investigators maintain no evidence connects the allegations to the murder.
Conservative commentator Candace Owens has raised controversy by alleging that Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder murdered in Utah last week, faced pressure from powerful figures over his views on Israel. Owens claimed Kirk was subjected to an “intervention” earlier this year in the Hamptons, involving billionaire Bill Ackman and Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon, where “threats were made to Charlie” and “a ton of money” was offered if he softened his criticisms of Israel. She also suggested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached out.
Ackman swiftly denied the accusations, calling them “totally false” and defamatory. “I never threatened Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA, or anyone associated with him,” he said, insisting the gathering was cordial. On social media, he accused Owens of exploiting Kirk’s death.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, praised Kirk as a “true friend of Israel” and blamed “Islamists” for his murder, while Kirk’s past statements revealed he sometimes criticized Israeli policies.
Authorities say Owens’s claims remain unsubstantiated, and no link has been found between her allegations and Kirk’s death. Police have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder after DNA tied him to the rifle used in the shooting.