The atmosphere at AMFest in Phoenix was undeniably somber this year. It marked the first time the event took place without Charlie Kirk, the dynamic founder of Turning Point USA, a void keenly felt by those in attendance.
But the grief was quickly overshadowed by a different kind of tension – a public fracturing among prominent conservative voices. Accusations and disagreements flared between figures like Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, and Candace Owens, turning a moment of mourning into a spectacle of internal conflict.
Amidst this turmoil, artist Sabo arrived with a powerful tribute to Kirk. His painting depicted the late conservative leader surrounded by individuals who had, in Sabo’s view, actively sought to discredit him or attack his deeply held Christian beliefs.
Sabo, known for his provocative street art, admitted his own views didn’t always perfectly align with Kirk’s. However, he held a profound respect for Kirk’s unwavering courage in the face of relentless attacks from the left, a bravery he felt compelled to honor.
The artwork stemmed from a previous piece created shortly after Kirk’s death, portraying him engaged in debate with those who had challenged him during his campus tours. These weren’t fictional opponents; they were real individuals whose arguments Kirk had calmly and effectively dismantled.
Sabo didn’t limit his message to tribute. He publicly challenged Candace Owens, urging her to “STOP!” with what he saw as divisive attacks against Turning Point USA and, most shockingly, against Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow.
The situation surrounding Candace Owens had been escalating for months. Once a rising star in conservative circles, she had become increasingly controversial, particularly after making inflammatory accusations against Brigitte Macron, the wife of the French President.
Owens’ journey began with a shift away from her former liberal views, fueled by opposition to Black Lives Matter and DEI initiatives. She initially found a platform with Charlie Kirk and Turning Point USA, but that partnership proved short-lived.
Subsequent stints with Ben Shapiro’s Daily Wire also ended abruptly, reportedly due to concerns over her increasingly provocative rhetoric, specifically her statements regarding Jews and Israel. This pattern of fractured alliances became a defining characteristic of her public persona.
What truly ignited the current firestorm was Owens’ response to Kirk’s murder. Almost immediately, she began publicly questioning the integrity of those closest to him, including loyal staff members and his grieving wife, suggesting a possible cover-up.
Her appearance on Piers Morgan’s show proved to be a turning point. Morgan relentlessly challenged Owens, presenting evidence that appeared to contradict her claims and expose inconsistencies in her narrative.
The interview quickly went viral, with clips showing Morgan visibly stunned by what he perceived as blatant falsehoods. Owens repeatedly asserted that “people at Turning Point were complicit,” only to backtrack and claim she hadn’t accused anyone of murder.
Adding another layer of complexity, Owens’ own father-in-law, Lord Michael Farmer, publicly distanced himself from her antisemitic remarks. He issued a statement emphasizing the importance of remembering the horrors of the Holocaust and defending Israel’s right to exist.
Despite the mounting criticism, Owens continued to push her theories, fueling a growing rift within the conservative movement. She accused Ben Shapiro of “gatekeeping” and censorship, refusing to retract her accusations even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Shapiro, in a powerful speech at AMFest, directly condemned Owens’ actions as “vicious” and “baseless,” demanding that the right-wing community reject her attempts to exploit tragedy for personal gain. He also criticized Tucker Carlson for providing a platform to extremist figures.
The fallout from Owens’ accusations has left many questioning her motives. Some believe she is genuinely pursuing a conspiracy, while others accuse her of deliberately stoking drama to maintain her relevance and financial success.
Charlie Kirk’s legacy was built on fostering debate and challenging conventional wisdom. Many now believe that Owens’ relentless attacks are undermining the very principles he championed, threatening to tear apart the conservative movement he worked so hard to build.
