"You Are Making Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars Off My Family"
‘This Isn’t OK’: Erika Kirk Fires Back at Candace Owens Over Family Accusations
Erika Kirk directly addressed Candace Owens, accusing the commentator of making a substantial profit by spreading baseless claims about her family and loved ones, asserting, "No, this isn’t ok. This is a mind virus."
The Line Drawn at Family
Erika Kirk, the wife of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, has publicly and directly confronted commentator Candace Owens, specifically taking issue with accusations that target her family members. Kirk’s comments represent a significant escalation in the ongoing public friction, which has previously centered on political and organizational disputes.
Kirk stated that while she might tolerate political disagreement, personal attacks against her family, coupled with false financial claims, crossed a definitive line.
"When you go after my family, the people that I love and you are making hundreds of thousands of dollars per episode because they are somehow ‘in on this,’" Kirk asserted, "No, this isn’t ok. This is a mind virus."
Focus on Financial Motivation and Disinformation
Kirk's statement zeroes in on the financial aspect of the dispute, suggesting that Owens is monetizing the controversy by using the allegations against her family. The reference to Owens "making hundreds of thousands of dollars per episode" implies that the commentator's rhetoric is a deliberate, profitable strategy rather than a genuine pursuit of truth, framing the entire campaign as an opportunistic attempt to gain wealth and attention by pushing out lies and false claims for clout and to stay relevant.
The phrase "in on this" refers to the core of the accusations levied by Owens, which often suggest a conspiratorial involvement by various individuals within conservative circles. Kirk’s frustration is clear: she views the spreading of these specific claims about her family as highly destructive and based on fabricated premises designed for financial gain, trampling on others to stay on the top.
The Mind Virus of Accusations
By labeling the campaign a "mind virus," Kirk is characterizing the rhetoric as contagious, destructive misinformation that harms not only the subjects of the accusations but also those who consume the content. This strong language suggests that the ongoing public war of words has strayed far from legitimate debate and devolved into harmful, baseless conspiracy-mongering.
Kirk’s decision to speak out underscores the high emotional toll the public dispute has taken, particularly when it extends beyond the principal political figures and directly impacts their relatives and support systems. Her rebuke makes a clear distinction between political differences and what she views as malicious personal and professional defamation aimed at those close to her. The public conflict between the two personalities has also been framed by some as a result of Owens's public statements on antisemitism, leading to her speaking against former truth sayer Charlie Kirk.