The assassination of Charlie Kirk in September stunned the country and ripped a hole through the conservative movement that still hasn’t healed. What followed should have been a solemn call for facts, calm, and unity — not a feeding frenzy of rumors and internecine warfare among those who claim to love this country. The nation deserves a straightforward accounting of what happened and justice for a man who gave so much to the cause.
In the chaotic weeks after the shooting, Turning Point USA moved to steady the ship by appointing Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, as CEO — a decision many saw as both compassionate and practical while an investigation unfolds. Authorities arrested a suspect and have filed serious charges, and law enforcement must be allowed to do their work without the distraction of wild public accusations. Conservatives should defend due process; grief and speculation are not evidence.
That didn’t stop a torrent of online sleuthing and leaked messages that have kept conspiracy channels alive, with some figures on the right amplifying fragments and hinting at deeper plots. Candace Owens has been one of the most vocal critics demanding answers, releasing private messages and calling for transparency about donors, communications, and internal disputes inside TPUSA. Questioning elites and asking uncomfortable questions is part of holding power to account — but it must be pursued responsibly.
What is unconscionable is how quickly intra-movement scorched-earth tactics kicked in. Ben Shapiro told Megyn Kelly — in a clip now circulating after being shared by Dave Rubin — that Owens’ line of questioning had crossed into something “evil,” and he even suggested she’d made accusations implicating Erika Kirk. The exchange stunned viewers and set off a petty public spat that does nothing to find answers and everything to bullseye a popular truth-teller.
Let’s be clear: conservatives should be defending one another against reckless public smears, not joining the mob without evidence. Candace Owens has flatly denied ever accusing Erika Kirk of murder, and any attempt to paint her as a monster without proof is a smear tactic dressed up as moral outrage. If Ben Shapiro or anyone else has evidence, produce it — otherwise stop weaponizing grief for clicks and internal score-settling.
Patriots who care about truth must demand transparency from TPUSA’s leadership, from law enforcement, and from the media that amplifies unverified claims. We can mourn Charlie Kirk and honor his legacy while insisting on facts over theatrics, and we can stand with Erika Kirk in her grief without letting unfounded insinuations become the next headline. Our movement is stronger when it seeks the truth, protects the innocent, and refuses to cannibalize itself for the sake of ratings.
