Candace Owens vs. Turning Point USA: When the Conservative Movement Eats Its Own

Conservative politics fed the beast of conspiracy and outrage; now it’s out of control

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During the Trump years, one line kept proving true: in every monster movie, the creature eventually devours its creator. That’s where we are with Turning Point USA (TPUSA) and Candace Owens. Owens broke into national media through TPUSA, a hard-right youth group long dogged by allegations of racism. It was a match made in hell. She quickly discovered there was real money in being the Black voice who tears down Black people.

Her conspiratorial streak began there. In 2019, she infamously suggested that Adolf Hitler’s “nationalism” wasn’t initially the issue — remarks she later tried to walk back. But that set the tone for the persona that would make her rich and infamous: unfiltered, inflammatory, and untethered from fact.

From Protégé to Problem

Charlie Kirk built TPUSA into a pipeline of conservative media stars. Owens was one of his biggest bets — and it paid off, at least for a while. Kirk gave her stages, microphones, and access to wealthy donors. The brand he helped build turned her into a national figure. But the same fire that drew audiences is now attacking its creator.