Candace Owens has reflected poignantly on her close friendship with Charlie Kirk, who tragically passed away at the age of 31 on September 10, 2025, following a shooting incident while he was delivering a speech at Utah Valley University. In a heartfelt tribute, Owens described Kirk as “an amazing person” and her best friend, emphasizing the deep bond they shared since they first met in 2017 at a conference in Florida.
Owens recounted their shared experiences, stating, “We were totally locked in,” and highlighted the grueling nature of their work together as they traveled extensively while she served as the communications director for Turning Point USA from 2017 to 2019. “For two years straight, Charlie and I flew around the world together on very little sleep,” she noted, illustrating the intensity of their camaraderie and the challenges they faced in their early political careers.
Owens expressed her disbelief over the circumstances of Kirk’s death, stating that she would never wish such tragedy on anyone, particularly someone with such a kind heart. In a subsequent video, she vowed to keep his memory alive, mentioning, “There is no Candace without Charlie.”
Since Kirk’s death, Owens has been vocal about her skepticism regarding the arrest of Tyler Robinson, the individual charged in connection with Kirk’s murder. She has questioned the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, raising significant concerns about justice and the narrative presented to the public. This skepticism was further amplified by her release of a leaked audio recording of Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, which purportedly captures her discussing Turning Point USA team successes just weeks after Charlie’s assassination. Owens criticized the tone of Erika’s conversation, indicating that it seemed out of place in light of the recent tragedy: “We’re talking about numbers and metrics that have been hit.”
Erika Kirk has since called on Owens to cease sharing conspiracy theories regarding her husband’s death, leading to a face-to-face meeting where the two women described their conversation as productive. Owens remarked on the evolving dynamics between them, noting, “That’s moving pretty quickly to the acceptance phase now.”
Through this tragedy, Owens continues to keep Kirk’s legacy at the forefront, reinforcing the value of loyalty and friendship in the tumultuous world of politics. They forged a strong partnership that, while tinged with heartache, also serves as a reminder of the personal connections that can thrive amidst professional challenges. The relationship between Owens and Kirk exemplifies the complexities of friendship in a high-stakes arena, highlighting both the emotional bonds that can be formed and the painful realities that can ultimately arise.