Candace Owens announced Monday that her show is set to release a new investigative series focused on Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk – a move that drew huge controversy among conservative activists, with her former employer calling Owens “evil” for the move.
Owens posted a trailer on social media for “Bride of Charlie,” which examines Erika’s actions in the months following her husband’s assassination in September 2025 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The series debuts Wednesday, February 25.
The trailer opens with news coverage of Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting before cutting to clips of Erika, who became CEO of Turning Point USA after her husband’s death. The footage includes references to “Zionists” and Israel, and implies a connection to a Romanian human trafficking scandal. The promotional banner depicts Erika wearing a crown.
One clip shows alleged leaked audio of Erika saying, “My husband’s dead. Like, I’m not trying to be morbid, but he’s dead,” while another shows her discussing “50,000 plus hat orders to fulfill” in reference to merchandise sales. A now-viral clip from the trailer shows Erika crying over Charlie’s casket and holding his embalmed hand.
We’ll be back on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/xCUfpQAmGG
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) February 23, 2026
The trailer caused immediate controversy. Daily Wire founder Ben Shapiro called Owens “evil” in a 10-minute video shared on social media.
.@RealCandaceO is evil. pic.twitter.com/69ZReNQtbD
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) February 24, 2026
Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon asked, “What would Charlie have to say about this? And what would he think of his so-called friends who can’t summon the courage to say it for him?”
RedState’s Bonchie wrote, “Everyday, there’s some new line being crossed by this lunatic that makes me wonder whether certain people will finally speak up. They won’t, though. Not even this will be enough, and it’s probably time to start asking why they are so invested in Owens.”
But not everyone condemned Owens. Matt Wallace said he was offered money to “say bad things” about Owens, but refused to do so.
Full disclosure: I was offered money today to say bad things about Candace Owens and turned it down pic.twitter.com/l8BLKipwV8
— Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) February 25, 2026
A spokesperson for Owens told The New York Post, “We have no comment. The series will speak for itself, and you can watch the premiere episode [Wednesday].”
The spokesperson later reportedly sent a follow-up statement that read, “LOL. There isn’t any backlash outside of the Zionist bubble—which has no influence. People are excited to watch, and we are looking forward to presenting what we’ve discovered about Mrs. Kirk.”
Owens has promoted various conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirk’s death since the September 10 shooting. She initially said she would stop if Erika asked her to, but over time began to suggest the widow might have been involved in a conspiracy to betray her husband.
Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at a Turning Point USA event in Utah Valley University in the Fall. His alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, faces the death penalty if convicted of aggravated murder in the case.