Conservative commentator Candace Owens is facing sharp criticism from several well-known right-wing figures as the preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused of murdering Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, continues in Utah. The opposition escalated when Owens repeatedly questioned the case against Robinson and suggested that key parts of the prosecution’s argument did not add up. As prosecutors wrapped up a week of testimony Thursday, critics accused Owens of helping Robinson’s defense by casting doubt on the evidence presented in court. The development has now sparked a public fight between some of the biggest names in conservative media.
Why were Candace Owens’ comments on Tyler Robinson criticized?
The latest debate comes as prosecutors continue to build their case against Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with aggravated murder in connection with the September 2025 shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.A key moment in Thursday’s hearing included video testimony from Robinson’s former roommate and partner Lance Twiggs. According to prosecutors, Twiggs told investigators that Robinson made disturbing comments after the shooting. Court records presented during the hearing also included claims that Robinson left a note saying he had “an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk” and later sent messages explaining why he allegedly targeted the conservative activist.Before the video could be shown publicly, Judge Tony Graf ordered parts of the recording to be removed. Robinson’s defense team argued that releasing the full interview before the trial began could unfairly influence public opinion. About 16 minutes of the 37-minute recording were cut before it was played in court.Owens has spent months questioning the prosecution’s case. At one point, he described Robinson as a “complete idiot” and argued that he was not even on the university campus when the shooting occurred.That claim came under renewed scrutiny this week when prosecutors introduced security footage they said showed Robinson at the complex four separate times on the day of the shooting.
Ben Shapiro, Laura Loomer and Blake Neff return against Candace Owens
As details of the hearing became public, several conservative commentators openly challenged Owens’s claims.Turning Point USA producer Blake Neff criticized her position and questioned why she appeared so determined to defend Robinson. Manhattan Institute fellow Colin Wright also rejected an argument by Owens that a man seen in court footage looked too tall to be Robinson. Wright said the claim was not based on any credible evidence. Online criticism became even stronger.Activist Laura Loomer wrote on X that Owens “has been signaling for months that she is willing to help defend Robinson”. Loomer also accused Owens of favoring those who want Robinson acquitted.Ben Shapiro also joined the controversy. In a social media post, he accused Owens of taking advantage of the attention associated with the case and spending months attacking Kirk’s widow, friends and coworkers.Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Colvette made a similar allegation, claiming that Owens was using Kirk’s death and legacy to draw attention to himself.Another point of disagreement involved a report published in March. According to The Washington Times, Owens cited a tabloid story that claimed a court filing showed that the bullet that killed Kirk did not match Robinson’s rifle. Following that report, she called for Robinson’s acquittal during her podcast.However, the Washington Examiner notes that prosecutors have introduced numerous other evidence, including surveillance footage, a rifle recovered near the scene, text messages that allegedly discussed a motive, and testimony from Robinson’s parents and Lance Twiggs.Robinson has not entered a plea. His lawyers have not publicly stated whether he is guilty or innocent, although they have tried unsuccessfully to remove the possibility of the death penalty. Judge Tony Graf is expected to decide whether prosecutors have presented enough evidence for the case to go to trial.