The dynamic between Candace Owens and Megyn Kelly has never been simple, but as of late December 2025, it has devolved into one of the most compelling and public feuds in conservative media. These two formidable commentators, known for their sharp rhetoric and refusal to back down, have repeatedly clashed on critical issues, moving past a professional rivalry into open, personal disagreement.
The latest, and arguably most explosive, chapter in their ongoing drama centers on Owens' controversial comments regarding Israel, her subsequent departure from The Daily Wire, and Kelly's complex position as both a critic and a defender of free speech within the conservative ecosystem. This article breaks down the recent history of their relationship, the core issues that divide them, and the biographical context of their high-profile careers.
The Career Timelines of Candace Owens and Megyn Kelly
To fully understand the weight of their public clashes, one must first appreciate the distinct, yet parallel, paths these two media titans have forged. Both women are highly influential figures in American political commentary, though they come from different generations and professional backgrounds.
Candace Owens: Profile and Career Highlights
- Born: April 29, 1989 (Stamford, Connecticut)
- Education: Attended the University of Rhode Island.
- Early Career: Initially started a website focused on exposing cyberbullying, which later became a political commentary site. Her early political views were liberal before she made a highly publicized shift to conservatism around 2017.
- Key Roles:
- Former Communications Director for Turning Point USA (TPUSA).
- Co-founder and President of the BLEXIT Foundation, an organization dedicated to encouraging Black Americans to leave the Democratic Party.
- Host of The Candace Owens Show and later Candace on The Daily Wire.
- Bestselling author.
- Current Status: Independent commentator following her highly publicized split with The Daily Wire in early 2024.
Megyn Kelly: Profile and Career Highlights
- Born: November 18, 1970 (Syracuse, New York)
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Syracuse University; J.D. from Albany Law School.
- Early Career: Worked as a corporate defense attorney for nine years.
- Key Roles:
- Reporter and anchor for Fox News Channel (2004–2017), notably hosting The Kelly File.
- Host of the third hour of NBC’s Today show (2017–2018).
- Host of the popular podcast and SiriusXM show, The Megyn Kelly Show, where she conducts open, honest, and provocative conversations with major political and cultural figures.
- Signature Style: Known for her incisive interviewing style and hard-hitting commentaries.
The Core Controversies: 5 Explosive Clashes That Defined Their Feud
The relationship between Owens and Kelly has been marked by a series of high-stakes public disagreements, often played out on their respective media platforms. These clashes highlight a growing ideological rift within the conservative movement itself.
1. The Israel Comments and The Daily Wire Fallout
The most significant recent conflict stems from Candace Owens' commentary on the Israel-Gaza conflict, which many, including her former employer The Daily Wire and its co-founder Charlie Kirk, viewed as antisemitic or overly sympathetic to Palestine.
Kelly, in a complex series of statements on her show, addressed the controversy directly. She defended Owens' right to express her views and criticized the "demands" for her to disavow Owens and Tucker Carlson, stating she would not be pressured by either side of the political aisle.
However, Kelly also broke down the controversy surrounding the comments, particularly in the context of Charlie Kirk’s legacy and the reaction from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office, essentially framing the debate for her audience without taking a simple pro-Owens or anti-Owens stance. This nuanced position put Kelly at odds with both staunch Owens defenders and those demanding a full condemnation.
2. The "Coward" Clash Over Brigitte Macron's Lawsuit
A separate, highly personal feud erupted over Kelly’s coverage of French First Lady Brigitte Macron's defamation lawsuit against Owens. Owens had spread a conspiracy theory regarding Macron's gender, which led to the legal action.
Kelly covered the lawsuit on her show, which Owens interpreted as a betrayal or a cowardly refusal to stand by her. Owens publicly "lost it" on Kelly, calling her a "coward" for how she handled the coverage of the legal proceedings. Kelly quickly "clapped back," defending her episode and her journalistic approach, asserting that her job was to cover the legal process, not simply defend a personality.
3. The Charlie Kirk and FBI Transparency Dilemma
Following the Israel controversy, Kelly faced online backlash for discussing the transparency of an FBI investigation without explicitly naming Candace Owens, who was involved in the dispute with Charlie Kirk. Critics accused Kelly of "sidestepping" Owens directly. Kelly defended her choice, explaining that standard journalistic practice often dictates silence on ongoing investigations to maintain legal integrity, not out of fear or personal bias.
4. The Harvard Israel Debate and Vivek Ramaswamy
In another instance of ideological friction, the two commentators clashed over the controversy surrounding a Harvard University Israel debate and comments made by Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. This exchange highlighted their different perspectives on how conservative figures should navigate the complex landscape of college campus politics and the Israel-Palestine conflict, further solidifying their differing approaches to political activism.
5. The Babylon Bee Satire and Exploding Pagers
The feud even extended into the realm of political satire. When the satirical website The Babylon Bee published a joke about Megyn Kelly and exploding pagers (a reference to an alleged Israeli military tactic), Candace Owens slammed the site's CEO, Seth Dillon, calling him a "psycho." This incident, while minor, demonstrated the intensity and breadth of the division, where even third-party satire became a point of contention between the two camps.
Topical Authority: The Impact on Conservative Media and Political Discourse
The public sparring between Candace Owens and Megyn Kelly is more than just a media catfight; it represents a significant ideological fracture within the American conservative movement. Both women wield massive influence, and their disagreements force their respective audiences to confront difficult questions about loyalty, free speech, and the role of Jewish people and Israel in conservative politics.
Kelly, with her background in traditional journalism and legal analysis, often emphasizes process, facts, and the right to speak, even when she disagrees with the content. This is evident in her defense of Owens’ free speech rights while simultaneously analyzing the merits of the Brigitte Macron lawsuit.
Owens, on the other hand, represents a newer, more activist, and personality-driven wing of conservatism. Her approach is more confrontational, prioritizing ideological purity and direct attacks on perceived enemies, as seen in her "coward" accusation against Kelly.
The fallout with Charlie Kirk and The Daily Wire, which Kelly has extensively covered, serves as a flashpoint. It demonstrates that the conservative media landscape is not a unified front but is instead a volatile ecosystem where ideological lines are constantly being redrawn. As these two powerful figures continue to command attention, their ongoing feud will likely shape the boundaries of acceptable discourse for right-leaning commentators for the foreseeable future.
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