Summary (tl;dr)

Candace Owens is trending due to recent controversial remarks at a Russian economic forum, where she reiterated unverified claims about French First Lady Brigitte Macron and criticized U.S. foreign policy, alongside ongoing discussions about her conspiracy theories regarding Charlie Kirk's death and a recently debunked death hoax.

Essential Background

Candace Owens is an American far-right political commentator known for promoting conspiracy theories and inflammatory statements, including antisemitic rhetoric that led to her departure from The Daily Wire in March 2024. She has previously faced legal action from French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron over baseless claims about Brigitte Macron's gender, with a defamation lawsuit filed in 2025. Owens has also been a vocal proponent of various conspiracy theories, notably surrounding the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in September 2025.

The Full Story

Candace Owens is currently trending following her appearance at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2026 in early June, where she reignited a long-running controversy by reaffirming her claims that French First Lady Brigitte Macron was born male. During the forum, Owens also questioned continued U.S. support for Ukraine and expressed appreciation for Moscow. Separately, Owens has garnered attention for her critical comments regarding Erika Kirk, the widow of the late Charlie Kirk, amidst Owens' continued promotion of unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about Kirk's 2025 assassination, including alleging involvement from Israel and Erika Kirk herself. Adding to the recent activity, a false claim of Owens' death circulated on social media via a now-deleted post by another podcaster, Lilly Gaddis, which was subsequently debunked by Owens' continued online activity.

Why It Matters

The renewed controversy surrounding Brigitte Macron highlights persistent issues of misinformation and targeted harassment against public figures, which has resulted in ongoing legal proceedings and public debate about freedom of expression and defamation. Owens' promotion of conspiracy theories concerning Charlie Kirk's death underscores the spread of unverified information and its impact on public discourse and individuals. Her appearance at a Russian forum and criticism of U.S. policy also draw attention to the platforms given to certain commentators and their influence on international narratives. The false death report, though quickly debunked, reflects the rapid dissemination of hoaxes and the challenges of verifying information in the digital age. Furthermore, her continued presence in the political conversation and speculation about a 2028 presidential bid indicate her enduring, albeit controversial, influence in far-right politics.

Geographic Location

• St. Petersburg, Russia (Candace Owens' appearance at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum)
• Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah County, Utah, United States (assassination of Charlie Kirk)
• Delaware, United States (defamation lawsuit filed by Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron)