Candace Owens Claims Charlie Kirk Was Betrayed and Says 'The Devil Overplayed His Hand'

Candace Owens marked the first anniversary of Charlie Kirk's death on 10 September by claiming in an anniversary podcast, during which she read from journal entries addressed to the late activist, that Kirk had been 'betrayed'. Owens also said the unnamed people she was referring to would not 'get away with it', adding that 'the devil overplayed his hand this time'.

Owens dedicated her anniversary episode to Kirk, with whom she had previously worked. Recalling the period before his death was confirmed, she said she told her husband, George, that Kirk had been betrayed and later repeated her belief that 'the devil overplayed his hand'.

Candace Owens Says Charlie Kirk Was Betrayed

In one journal entry, Owens described a conversation with her husband as they prayed in his office before learning that Kirk had died. She said she had already become convinced that he had been betrayed.

'I want you to know that I already know, so you don't need to keep insisting,' Owens said in the letter. 'You know, before we even found out that you didn't make it, I knew you were betrayed. I told George that as we prayed in his office, I said, 'They betrayed him.'

Owens did not identify who she believes betrayed Kirk or provide evidence in the material cited to establish that such a betrayal occurred. Her comments were presented as her own belief and recollection, rather than as a finding by investigators or another authority.

She then said, without identifying whom she meant, that 'they're not going to get away with it'.

'Instantly, Charlie, like an old memory, had just been triggered. I also know that they're not going to get away with it. They made a mistake. The devil overplayed his hand this time,' Owens added.

Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University on 10 September 2025. Tyler Robinson was charged over the killing and pleaded not guilty to all charges on 1 September 2026 after a Utah judge ruled there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial.

Owens' anniversary programme revisited his death and its aftermath.

Candace Owens Questions How Charlie Kirk's Death Spread Online

Owens, a former Daily Wire host, also raised questions about the circulation of footage showing Kirk's death. She said she found its widespread circulation unusual and questioned how footage of Kirk's death spread across major social media platforms.

'I have this deep sense that they wanted me to see you die,' she said. 'The manner in which it was broadcast globally all across social media doesn't make any sense. It defied algorithmic norms. Facebook, TikTok, X.'

She went on to suggest that systems designed to detect and remove violent material had failed at the same time.

'Suddenly, all of their preventative measures that are designed to catch and remove violence from their platforms immediately malfunctioned that day. They wanted everyone to watch you die. For what reason, I'm not sure,' Owens said.

Graphic footage of Kirk's shooting did circulate widely across social media after his death. However, there is no verified evidence that Facebook, TikTok or X intentionally allowed the footage to spread, as Owens suggested. Contemporary reporting documented the rapid circulation of graphic footage, while more recent reporting has also noted the continued spread of conspiracy theories surrounding Kirk's killing.

Candace Owens Revisits Charlie Kirk's Memorial

Owens also criticised Kirk's memorial, saying she believed it resembled an RNC rally. She separately criticised Ben Shapiro and and referred to his involvement with Kirk's organisation after his death.

Shapiro appeared on The Charlie Kirk Show shortly after Kirk's death, where he announced that The Daily Wire would donate $1 million to Turning Point USA. Owens provided no evidence in the anniversary episode linking Shapiro's appearance or the donation to her broader allegation that Kirk was betrayed.

Those remarks formed part of Owens' broader reflection on her past association with Kirk and her views about what followed his death.

Robinson has pleaded not guilty, and the criminal case against him remains pending. No publicly verified evidence has established Owens' broader allegation that Kirk was betrayed by others.