Benjamin Netanyahu 'Can't Be Human' and 'Must Be a Reptile', Candace Owens Claims on Podcast

Candace Owens said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 'can't be human' and 'must be a reptile' during a podcast released on 5 October 2026.

The political commentator made these remarks on episode 688 of This Past Weekend With Theo Von, during a wider discussion about wealthy and powerful figures, alleged dishonesty, and distrust of political elites.

Owens and host Theo Von then turned their attention to Netanyahu and his public remarks, and their comments about Netanyahu's humanity were presented as 'speculation and were not supported by evidence'.

The podcast offered no factual basis for any literal claim that Netanyahu is anything other than human. Owens and Von had been discussing the idea that 'evil billionaires' could be 'running a big experiment' when Owens spoke about what she viewed as widespread dishonesty.

'We're just kind of getting to a point now where we know they're lying. You know what I'm saying?' Owens said. She then questioned how far what she described as extreme 'gaslighting' could go before provoking a wider reaction.

Candace Owens Targets Netanyahu During Theo Von Exchange

Von referred to Netanyahu discussing internet personalities, including political streamer Hasan Piker. Owens then directed her criticism towards the Israeli prime minister.

Owens accused Netanyahu of having committed 'genocide in broad daylight.' She also criticised what she portrayed as Netanyahu's access to the White House and influence in US politics.

That allegation requires an important legal distinction. The International Court of Justice is considering South Africa's genocide case against Israel and has not issued a final judgment on the merits.

The ICJ proceedings concern Israel's responsibilities under the Genocide Convention. They are not a criminal prosecution of Netanyahu as an individual.

Separately, the International Criminal Court has an outstanding arrest warrant for Netanyahu involving alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, rather than genocide.

They Talk About the Arrest Warrant Also

The allegations include starvation as a method of warfare, intentionally directing an attack against civilians, murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. Israel has rejected the allegations and disputed the court's jurisdiction.

An arrest warrant is not a conviction or finding of guilt. Owens repeatedly described the political situation as 'wild'. She also contrasted Netanyahu's political access with controversy surrounding musician Macklemore and his pro-Palestinian comments.

Von joined the exchange with a reference to 'Mordor 1712' and joked that events resembled some kind of software update. The discussion then moved from political criticism into increasingly conspiratorial territory.

Owens said of Netanyahu, 'The way he lies — I don't, he can't be human. I don't think he's a human.' Von responded that he did not think Netanyahu was human either. He suggested Netanyahu might instead be an 'aberration.'

Candace Owens Invokes 'Reptile' Theory About Netanyahu

Owens then raised a 'reptile' theory while acknowledging that she had not researched it. She said she could 'automatically believe the reptile thing' and added that Netanyahu 'must be a reptile.'

Owens also called him 'a snake of some description' and referred to him as 'wearing a costume.' No evidence was presented to support any literal claim that Netanyahu is anything other than human.

The language carries a wider cultural context. Reptilian-humanoid conspiracy theories have been linked to antisemitic narratives involving Jewish families, Israel and claims of secret control.

That does not mean every reference to a reptile is automatically antisemitic. Context matters, including who is being targeted, the surrounding claims and whether broader stereotypes about Jewish people are being invoked.

In this exchange, Owens was speaking specifically about Netanyahu, not Jewish people collectively. However, invoking a 'reptile' theory about a Jewish political leader can echo conspiracy themes that have been used in antisemitic rhetoric.

The distinction is important because criticism of Netanyahu or Israeli government policy is not inherently antisemitic. The issue changes when political criticism moves into dehumanising language or conspiracy theories historically associated with Jewish people.

Owens herself acknowledged that she had not researched the reptile theory before raising it. 'I never looked into it,' she said, adding that she could still believe it.

The episode was published on 5 October and featured Owens as Von's guest. It was episode 688 of This Past Weekend With Theo Von.

Neither Owens nor Von offered evidence for their extraordinary comments about Netanyahu's humanity. Their remarks should therefore be understood as attributed rhetoric rather than established fact, while separate legal allegations involving Netanyahu must remain clearly distinguished from the podcast's conspiracy claims.