Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA, released a video criticizing Jimmy Kimmel and Candace Owens for promoting assassination theories [1].
The confrontation highlights a growing rift within conservative and media circles regarding the rhetoric used after high-profile security threats. As political tensions rise, the debate over where criticism ends and dangerous narrative-building begins has become a focal point for public discourse.
Kirk appeared on the RISING weekday morning show to address the aftermath of a shooting scare at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C. [1, 2]. In the video, Kirk said Kimmel and Owens' promotion of assassination-related theories contributes to a volatile national climate [1, 3].
Kirk said there is a "serious epidemic of dehumanization plaguing this country" [4]. She said she wanted to call out political opponents and allies alike whom she believes are spreading narratives that could incite further violence [2, 4].
Owens has since pushed back against the criticisms leveled by Kirk in the video [3]. The dispute follows the reported events of April 29, 2026 [4], which saw heightened security and public alarm surrounding the dinner event.
Kirk's approach in the video was described by some reports as "scorched earth," as she used the platform to challenge the responsibility of public figures in shaping the perception of political violence [2].
“There is a serious epidemic of dehumanization plaguing this country.”
This clash illustrates the increasing internal volatility within right-wing media and the broader struggle to balance free speech with the prevention of political violence. By criticizing both a late-night host and a prominent conservative voice, Kirk is attempting to frame the issue as a systemic problem of dehumanization rather than a strictly partisan one.
