5 Shocking Reasons Why Candace Owens And Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire Alliance Collapsed In 2024

The conservative media landscape was irrevocably altered in March 2024 when The Daily Wire, the powerhouse founded by Ben Shapiro, officially announced the end of its relationship with star commentator Candace Owens. This high-profile split marked the dramatic conclusion of a months-long, escalating public feud that had captivated and divided the political right, demonstrating the deep fault lines created by the ongoing Middle East conflict. The professional divorce between two of the most influential conservative voices of the era was not a quiet affair, but a fiery clash of ideologies played out on social media and major podcasts.

The core of the tension lay in fundamentally opposing views on the Israel-Hamas war, with Candace Owens adopting a highly critical stance toward Israel's actions, which directly contradicted the staunch, unwavering support championed by Ben Shapiro and The Daily Wire's editorial line. As of December 15, 2025, the fallout continues to define both figures' careers, with Owens transitioning to a fully independent platform while Shapiro and The Daily Wire navigate the aftermath of losing one of their most popular, albeit controversial, hosts.

The Life and Career of Candace Owens: A Biographical Profile

Candace Owens, born Candace Amber Owens Farmer, is one of the most polarizing and prominent figures in modern American conservative politics. Her career trajectory is defined by a notable political shift and a rapid rise to media stardom.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

• Full Name: Candace Amber Owens Farmer (née Owens)
• Born: April 29, 1989 (36 years old as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.
• Education: Attended the University of Rhode Island (did not complete a degree).
• Early Career: Initially a liberal activist, she co-founded a website called Degree180, which was critical of the Republican Party.
• Political Shift: Owens underwent a public and dramatic political transformation around 2016-2017, shifting her views to become a staunch conservative and pro-Trump commentator.
• Key Roles:
  • Former Communications Director for the conservative non-profit organization, Turning Point USA (TPUSA).
  • Founder of the Blexit movement, which encourages Black Americans to leave the Democratic Party.
  • Host of *The Candace Owens Show* and later the *Candace* podcast, which was hosted by The Daily Wire until March 2024.
• Author: *New York Times* Bestselling author of the book, *Blackout: How Black America Can Make Its Second Escape from the Democrat Plantation*.
• Current Status: Independent political commentator and podcast host following her departure from The Daily Wire.

The Ideological Powder Keg: The Israel-Hamas War Clash

The professional partnership between Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro, while successful for years, contained inherent ideological tensions that finally exploded following the October 7, 2023, attacks and the subsequent Israel-Hamas war. Owens and Shapiro, both highly influential figures in right-wing media, found themselves on opposing sides of the most sensitive global conflict.

Ben Shapiro, a co-founder of The Daily Wire and a prominent Orthodox Jew, has always maintained an extremely strong, unequivocal pro-Israel stance. His commentary consistently emphasized Israel's right to self-defense and the necessity of confronting Hamas. This position is a foundational element of The Daily Wire's overall editorial strategy and a personal conviction for Shapiro.

Candace Owens, however, began expressing increasingly critical views of Israel's actions in Gaza. Her commentary evolved from mainstream criticism of the war and the U.S.'s role in funding it to more controversial territory. She criticized what she termed "blind allegiance" to Israel and highlighted the plight of Palestinian Christians, which created a significant rift with her colleagues. This ideological clash was the primary catalyst for the eventual split, creating an untenable internal environment at the company.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

The Five Key Flashpoints That Led to the 2024 Daily Wire Split

The separation was not sudden but the result of a series of escalating public and private confrontations. These five key points illustrate the breakdown of the Candace Owens-Ben Shapiro alliance:

1. The "Political Jews" and Antisemitic Trope Controversy

The most damaging element of the feud involved specific comments Owens made that critics—including many within The Daily Wire—deemed antisemitic. Owens began using language that separated "political Jews" from others, and referenced a "very small ring of" Jewish people, which many viewed as invoking classic antisemitic tropes related to global power and control.

For Ben Shapiro, who has a long history of fighting antisemitism, these comments crossed a professional and personal line. The conflict moved from a political disagreement over foreign policy to a moral and ethical crisis for the company. The mounting pressure from subscribers and the public on The Daily Wire to address the comments became overwhelming.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

2. Shapiro's Public Challenge: "By All Means, Quit"

The internal tensions spilled into the public sphere with unprecedented ferocity. In one notable exchange, after months of social media sparring, Shapiro publicly urged Owens to leave the company if she could not align with its values. He stated, "By all means, quit," effectively daring his own star host to terminate her contract. This moment signaled that the relationship had deteriorated beyond repair and that the company leadership was ready to move on.

3. The Role of Jeremy Boreing and The Daily Wire Leadership

While Shapiro was the public face of the opposition, the final decision involved the entire Daily Wire leadership, including co-founder Jeremy Boreing. Boreing ultimately issued the formal statement confirming the end of the relationship, stating simply, "Daily Wire and Candace Owens have ended their relationship." This corporate decision underscored that the issue was not merely a personal beef between two hosts, but a fundamental misalignment with the company's core principles and brand identity.

4. Owens's Claim of Being "Finally Free"

Following the announcement in March 2024, Candace Owens took to social media to declare, "The rumors are true—I am finally free." This triumphant statement suggested she viewed her time at the conservative media outlet as a form of ideological confinement. She framed her exit not as a firing, but as liberation from a restrictive corporate environment that prevented her from expressing her full political views, particularly on the Israel-Palestine conflict and other geopolitical issues.

5. The Post-Exit Debate Challenge and Independent Success

The feud did not end with the termination. In the months following her departure, Owens publicly challenged Ben Shapiro to a debate specifically on the topic of Israel, signaling her desire to continue the ideological fight on an independent stage. Furthermore, Owens has since claimed that her now-independent podcast has soared in popularity, becoming the world's number one show, a success she credits directly to her firing from The Daily Wire. This post-split narrative highlights her successful pivot to a fully autonomous platform, suggesting the controversy ultimately boosted her personal brand and audience loyalty.

The Future of Conservative Media: A Post-Owens Daily Wire

The dramatic separation of Candace Owens and The Daily Wire is more than just a media personnel change; it represents a significant shift in the conservative media ecosystem. The Daily Wire, under the continued leadership of Ben Shapiro, has reaffirmed its commitment to a strong, pro-Israel, and traditionally conservative foreign policy platform. This episode serves as a clear demarcation line for other commentators and content creators considering joining the network.

Meanwhile, Candace Owens has emerged as a leading voice for a more isolationist, nationalist wing of the right, one that is increasingly skeptical of U.S. foreign aid and intervention, particularly in the Middle East. Her independent success demonstrates that a significant portion of the conservative audience is seeking alternative perspectives, even those that clash with established conservative media giants like Shapiro and his company. The fallout has created a clear division, forcing audiences to choose between the established, institutional conservatism of The Daily Wire and the more populist, anti-establishment platform now championed by Owens.