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By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
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Conservative influencer Candace Owens' documentary about Erika Kirk, the wife of deceased activist Charlie Kirk, has sparked a backlash on social media.
Owens, a podcaster who has repeatedly questioned the events leading up to Charlie Kirk's death, posted a trailer on X on Monday for her new documentary Bride of Charlie, which featured clips of Erika Kirk giving interviews about her husband.
"We'll be back on Wednesday," she wrote.
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Responding on social media, people attacked Owens for the documentary trailer, with one accusing her of making a "hit piece series."
It is not clear whether the documentary will make any accusations about Erika Kirk.
Newsweek reached out to representatives for Owens by email to comment on this story.
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The Context
Charlie Kirk, 31, was fatally shot during a campus speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem, on September 10, 2025, sparking an outpouring of grief from conservatives across the country.
Owens, who was a good friend of the Turning Point founder before his death, has reportedly accused the federal government of tampering with the investigation into Kirk's death, without providing any evidence.
Owens has also speculated, also without any evidence, that pro-Israel groups may have been involved in the shooting. Israeli officials have denied these claims**.**
These attacks have split the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement between those who support Erika Kirk and those who support Candace Owens, and has created controversy.
What To Know
In September, The Guardian reported Owens published podcasts titled: “Charlie Kirk Suspect Charged. Something Isn’t Right…”, “Who Ordered the Hit on Charlie Kirk?” and “They Are Lying About Charlie Kirk.”
In this month, she also alleged that billionaire hedge-fund manager Bill Ackman—a vocal supporter of Israel—had staged an "intervention" in the Hamptons weeks prior, pressuring Kirk to "get in line" with unwavering support for Israel during which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him.
She said that Kirk was offered "a ton of money" to stick to a pro-Israel stance because he had been "falling out of love with Israel" and was "on the brink of changing some of his perspectives" about the Gaza war.
Newsweek was unable to verify these allegations.
Ackman has strenuously denied specific claims of an "intervention," as have others, including Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon, who were at the Hamptons event, which they nonetheless confirmed had taken place.
In a December, podcast episode, Owens said she had had a 4.5 hour conversation with Erika Kirk and said she still did not believe that Tyler Robinson, the person charged with Charlie Kirk’s death, was solely responsible.
She implied Israel was linked to Charlie Kirk's death or that it was part of a bigger crime.
What People Are Saying
Comedian Alex Stein told Sky News host Rita Panahi: “Erika Kirk had nothing to do with her husband's death; that is just ludicrous."
"She is incredibly jealous that Erika is now the CEO [of Turning Point]," he added.
One X user called J, who has over 24,000 followers and describes himself as a Michigan patriot and Trump voter, called the documentary a "hit piece series."
Another user called Kevin Smith, who has over 56,000 followers said: "She’s got a documentary filled with total randoms coming out that will prove nothing, as usual."
A third user said: "This is worse than how the left acted when Charlie was murdered. This is an unforgivable betrayal."
And a fourth user, a conservative Christian blogger called Jackie Chea wrote: "Every Christian of conscience should rebuke this, and not a single one should watch it."
However, Owens also received some messages of support An account called LionelMedia, a radio host with over 231,000 followers who was featured in the documentary wrote: "There is nothing more fascinating and compelling than the truth focused."
Erika Kirk told Fox News in December: "Call me what you want. Go down that rabbit hole, whatever. But when you go after my family, my Turning Point USA family, my Charlie Kirk show family, when you go after the people that I love, and you’re making hundreds and thousands of dollars every single episode going after the people that I love, because, somehow, they’re in on this? No."
What Happens Next
Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with the aggravated murder of Charlie Kirk and other offenses, including felony firearm discharge, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Prosecutors have indicated that they will seek the death penalty.
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