The Conservative Civil War: 5 Key Reasons Candace Owens And Ben Shapiro’s Partnership Imploded

The conservative media landscape was rocked by a high-profile professional divorce in early 2024, culminating in Candace Owens' dramatic departure from The Daily Wire, the influential platform co-founded by Ben Shapiro. This split was not a quiet, mutual parting of ways but a public, months-long feud that exposed deep ideological rifts within the American right-wing movement, primarily centered on the Israel-Hamas conflict and the nature of political commentary.

As of December 2025, the relationship between the two prominent pundits remains severed, with the fallout continuing to shape their individual careers and the broader conversation around free speech and editorial standards in right-wing media. The controversy provides a fascinating case study in how geopolitical tensions can fracture even the most powerful professional alliances, forcing a re-evaluation of the boundaries of conservative thought.

Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro: A Dual Biography Profile

Before their professional partnership dissolved, Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro were two of the most recognizable and polarizing figures in modern conservative political commentary. Their careers, though distinct, converged at The Daily Wire, creating a powerhouse of right-wing media.

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Ben Shapiro Profile

• Full Name: Benjamin Aaron Shapiro
• Born: January 15, 1984 (Age 41)
• Education: University of California, Los Angeles (BA), Harvard Law School (JD)
• Career Highlights: Became the youngest nationally syndicated columnist in the U.S. at age 17. Served as an editor-at-large for Breitbart News (2012–2016). Co-founded The Daily Wire in 2015 with Jeremy Boreing. Hosts The Ben Shapiro Show, one of the most popular conservative podcasts globally.
• Key Entities: The Daily Wire, Breitbart, Harvard Law, Jeremy Boreing, The Ben Shapiro Show.

Candace Owens Profile

• Full Name: Candace Amber Owens Farmer (née Owens)
• Born: April 29, 1989 (Age 36)
• Education: University of Rhode Island (did not complete degree)
• Career Highlights: Initially known for her anti-bullying work, she shifted to conservative activism. Served as Communications Director for Turning Point USA. Hosted Candace on The Daily Wire (2021–2024). Author and political commentator known for her outspoken views on race, culture, and social issues.
• Key Entities: Turning Point USA, Candace (podcast), Charlie Kirk, Blexit, Author.

The 5 Flashpoints That Led to the Daily Wire Split

The professional relationship between Owens and Shapiro, once a cornerstone of The Daily Wire's success, began to unravel publicly in late 2023. The tension escalated rapidly, leading to the official announcement of her departure in March 2024. The conflict was multifaceted, but five key flashpoints defined the implosion.

1. The Israel-Hamas War and Geopolitical Commentary

The most significant catalyst for the feud was Owens' commentary following the October 7, 2023, attacks and the subsequent Israel-Hamas war. While Shapiro is a staunch, outspoken supporter of Israel, Owens adopted a more critical stance on Israel's actions and U.S. foreign policy in the region. She publicly questioned the narrative presented by the Israeli government and Western media, which put her directly at odds with The Daily Wire’s editorial line and Shapiro’s personal convictions.

2. Accusations of Antisemitic Rhetoric

The disagreement moved from a policy debate to a personal and ideological clash when Owens began to post content that critics, including Shapiro, labeled as antisemitic. This included sharing posts referencing long-standing antisemitic tropes, such as the claim that Jewish people drink Christian blood, and suggesting that global elites were orchestrating the conflict. Shapiro publicly condemned her statements, calling them "disgraceful" and "indefensible." This condemnation marked the definitive end of any amicable professional relationship.

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3. The Public Social Media Feud

The conflict played out in a brutal, highly public fashion on social media platforms, providing a spectacle of a conservative civil war. Shapiro and Owens traded direct barbs, with Shapiro at one point publicly daring her to quit The Daily Wire if she could not align with its principles. Owens responded by declaring that Shapiro "doesn't have the power to fire me," showcasing the internal power struggle and the breakdown of professional respect. This public beefing significantly damaged the brand unity of the conservative media outlet.

4. The Charlie Kirk/Erika Kirk Controversy

Further complicating the feud were tangential, yet highly personal, accusations involving Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and his wife, Erika Kirk. Owens publicly denied claims—which Ben Shapiro repeated on The Megyn Kelly Show—that she was accusing Erika Kirk of responsibility for her husband's death. This side-controversy further illustrated the toxic environment and the web of personal insults that had engulfed the conservative media ecosystem, moving the dispute far beyond mere political disagreement.

5. Editorial Standards and The Daily Wire's Response

The final reason for the separation was the irreconcilable difference in editorial standards and ideological focus. The Daily Wire, co-founded by Shapiro and Jeremy Boreing, is a major media company with a clear stance on key issues, particularly Israel. Owens' insistence on pushing her controversial, non-aligned views, despite repeated warnings and public clashes, made her position within the organization untenable. The Daily Wire ultimately severed ties, with co-founder Jeremy Boreing confirming that the relationship had ended, citing the fundamental breakdown in professional alignment.

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The Impact on the Conservative Media Landscape

The implosion of the Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro partnership is more than just a personnel change; it is a significant event in the conservative media landscape. It highlights a growing ideological fracture between two distinct camps on the American right: the traditional, interventionist, pro-Israel conservatives (represented by Shapiro and The Daily Wire) and the more populist, isolationist, and often anti-establishment voices (represented by Owens).

This professional separation underscores a crucial debate: where are the lines of acceptable discourse drawn in conservative media? For Shapiro, the line was crossed with the embrace of antisemitic rhetoric and the undermining of the company's core values. For Owens, the split was framed as a victory for independent thought and a rejection of what she perceived as an overly restrictive editorial environment. She publicly stated, "The rumors are true – I am finally free," suggesting liberation from ideological constraints.

The event has also created a new media narrative, forcing other conservative commentators like Megyn Kelly and Charlie Kirk to weigh in, further amplifying the internal tensions. Owens has since continued her independent commentary, focusing on a populist, anti-globalist agenda. Meanwhile, The Daily Wire has solidified its position, albeit with a clear message that ideological purity and alignment with its core principles are paramount for its hosts.

Ultimately, the Candace Owens-Ben Shapiro saga serves as a permanent marker of the ideological fault lines that continue to divide the right, proving that even the most powerful professional alliances can be shattered by deeply held, conflicting beliefs on sensitive geopolitical issues.