Shapiro Warns Conservative Movement May Be Lost to Conspiratorial Thinking
"Is there a conservative movement left to save? That's the question, because conservatism depends on one very simple premise: you are responsible for your own actions. Conspiratorial systems are not responsible for your failures. If you sell people a bag of goods that says that everything around you is a manipulated system, that you live in the Matrix, all your failures are the result of deeply embedded evil systems, you will not just ruin your life, you'll ruin the country."
About this episode
Ben Shapiro delivers an extended condemnation of Candace Owens and other conservative figures promoting conspiracy theories about the September 2025 assassination of Charlie Kirk, as preliminary hearings begin in the murder trial of suspect Tyler Robinson. Shapiro details how Owens has spent ten months claiming Kirk's widow Erica and Turning Point USA colleagues were complicit in the murder or its cover-up, despite overwhelming evidence pointing to Robinson, a trans-supporting individual who confessed and whose DNA was found on the murder weapon. Shapiro reveals that hiring Owens at Daily Wire was one of his great regrets and that he advocated for her termination significantly earlier than it occurred. He systematically debunks numerous conspiracy theories promoted by Owens, including claims about Egyptian Air Force planes, Mossad involvement, Jeffrey Epstein connections, and allegations that Erica Kirk is a lesbian groomer tied to child trafficking. Shapiro presents new research from the National Contagion Research Institute showing that over 712,000 X posts targeted Erica Kirk, with more than 1,000 containing explicit threats, and that Owens's posts statistically predicted spikes in threat volume two days later. He also criticizes Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly for amplifying or providing cover for these theories. Shapiro argues that this conspiratorial thinking represents an existential threat to conservatism itself, which depends on individual responsibility rather than belief in hidden manipulative systems. He calls listening to Owens's content an actual sin that destroys souls and harms the country, warning that a conservative movement captured by conspiracy theories cannot effectively counter an ascendant left.
Key takeaways
- Ben Shapiro calls Candace Owens a sociopath conducting an evil character assassination against Charlie Kirk's widow Erica and accuses her of implicating them in Kirk's murder without evidence.
- New research shows over 712,000 X posts targeted Erica Kirk with 1,034 explicit threats, and Candace Owens's posts statistically predicted threat spikes two days later.
- Shapiro reveals hiring Candace Owens at Daily Wire was one of his great regrets and he personally wanted to fire her significantly earlier than she was dismissed.
- Preliminary hearings in Tyler Robinson's murder trial show clear evidence including DNA on the rifle trigger, confession texts to his roommate, surveillance footage, and etched messages on bullet casings.
- Tucker Carlson laughed as comedian Jimmy Dore mocked Erica Kirk and promoted conspiracy theories, while Carlson has openly stated he believes Kirk was killed for Israel views not trans opinions.
- Shapiro systematically debunks conspiracy theories including Egyptian Air Force involvement, Mossad assassination claims, Jeffrey Epstein connections, and allegations Erica Kirk is involved in child trafficking.
- Shapiro warns that conspiratorial thinking promoted by Owens, Carlson and others is destroying conservatism's core principle of individual responsibility and may leave no conservative movement left to save.