The conservative group that helped launch the career of Candace Owens is cutting ties with the political commentator, citing her “ignorant, hateful and morally obtuse remarks about Israel and the Jews.”
The David Horowitz Freedom Center released a statement on Monday disavowing its years-long association with Owens, the former blogger who rose to become a prominent social media personality and podcaster.
The move comes amid a row between Owens and her fellow Daily Wire star Ben Shapiro, who had a similar falling out over her views on Israel.
“Six years ago, the David Horowitz Freedom Center invited the then little-known Candace Owens to its annual Restoration Weekend gathering of conservative movers and shakers,” the group said in its statement, which noted that Owens herself said it was “the conference where everything started for me.”
Horowitz, 84, is a former left-wing radical who later in his life became a conservative writer, activist and author.
He founded the David Horowitz Freedom Center to safeguard “the defense of free societies whose moral, cultural and economic foundations are under attack by enemies both secular and religious, at home and abroad.”
The nonprofit lashed out at Owens — accusing her of straying from the cause.
“Instead of focusing on the meaningful activism and defense of American values that brought her to our attention, Candace Owens has become obsessed with her own fame, stirring up drama to compensate for a lack of real achievement,” the group said.
Owens’ criticism of Israel shows that she “tackles a subject she knows nothing about” and that she “never bothers to learn anything about it,” according to the Freedom Center.
The group accused Owens of “rid[ing] the backlash by playing the victim to generate more fame and money.”
“What a tragic misuse of talents,” the statement read.
The organization said that Owens is either “on the sidelines” or “actively supporting the crusade against the West.”
The group said it would seek to back activists “who will do the work, rather than chase the clicks, who will stand up for freedom and the sanctity of human life, who will refuse to compromise with evil and retreat into a delusional isolationism.”
“Goodbye Candace, we will continue to support those who truly strive to raise up the movement for liberty and life, not selfishly tear it apart,” the statement read.
The statement included a quote from Owens in which she credited the Freedom Center with helping promote her career.
“I started my career, my political career on YouTube making just funny, satirical videos, and I got an email from David Horowitz inviting me to this conference, and let me just tell you what a big deal it was for me. I had no connections whatsoever,” Owens is quoted as saying.
The Post has sought comment from Owens.
Owens has been a vocal critic of Israel as well as the US government’s support for the country’s military operations in Gaza, which were launched in response to the Oct. 7 surprise assault by Hamas terrorists that killed at least 1,200 Israelis.
“No government anywhere has a right to commit a genocide, ever,” Owens wrote on her X account earlier this month. She didn’t mention Israel, though this was implied.
“There is no justification for a genocide. I can’t believe this even needs to be said or is even considered the least bit controversial to state.”