Candace Owens Claims TPUSA Conducts 'Witch Trials,' Spies on Employees Who Don't Like Erika Kirk

Candace Owens has launched a new and public attack on Turning Point USA, accusing the conservative organisation of turning on its own staff. The claims were made in late January 2026, centred on TPUSA's headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona, and focused on alleged internal investigations into employee loyalty.

Owens said the actions were driven by support for, or opposition to, Erika Kirk, who became chief executive after the death of her husband, Charlie Kirk. The accusations surfaced on social media and on Owens' podcast, despite a reported cease and desist letter sent to her by the organisation.

She framed the situation as a pattern of surveillance, intimidation and sudden dismissals, though TPUSA has not publicly responded to each allegation.

Candace Owens Accuses TPUSA of 'Witch Trials'

Owens, a former TPUSA affiliate and prominent conservative commentator, said the organisation was conducting what she described as 'witch trials' against staff. She made the allegation in a post on X on 23 January 2026, claiming to rely on first-hand accounts from people inside the group.

According to Owens, employees were summoned into offices and questioned about their 'allegiance' to Kirk rather than their work performance. She said the process relied on rumours and indirect claims, some of which had little connection to the workplace.

In one post, Owens wrote that what was happening at Turning Point should be called the 'Scottsdale Witch Trials.' She said the questioning created a climate of fear and uncertainty within the organisation.

Owens also linked the internal tensions to the period following Charlie Kirk's assassination, when staff were already under pressure.

TPUSA Targets, Spies Employees Who are Against Erika Kirk

Owens alleged that TPUSA leadership went further than questioning and actively targeted employees who were believed to be critical of Erika Kirk. She claimed one staff member was questioned after a chain of hearsay involving an Uber driver and a senior executive's family. Owens said Andrew Kolvet, whom she identified as a TPUSA executive, brought the employee in for questioning despite the person being confused by the allegation.

She also alleged that firings were carried out abruptly and without explanation. In one case, Owens said in-house counsel appeared at an employee's home to dismiss them and demanded immediate surrender of company equipment.

Another employee, she said, believed they were being called in to discuss a bonus after heavy workloads linked to AmFest. Instead, the person was dismissed without a stated reason, despite the organisation having raised around 250 million dollars after Kirk's death.

Owens further claimed that some staff suspected monitoring software on company laptops. She said this belief followed private messages in which an employee criticised Kirk's leadership style.

Owens stressed that none of her direct sources had been dismissed, while others were removed during what she described as a clean-up effort.

Owens Shares Video of Former TPUSA Video

Alongside her written claims, Owens shared a video said to show a TPUSA employee being terminated. The recording, circulated online by another conservative commentator, contains only voices. In the footage, the employee repeatedly asks for documentation and an explanation for the decision.

A man identified as Frank, speaking for the organisation, tells the employee it is time to leave and offers general assurances without giving specific reasons. The staff member refers to long working hours and continued service following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. A witness in the room reacts emotionally, describing the dismissal as harsh, given the circumstances.

Owens said the video supports her claim that TPUSA was removing people suspected of internal dissent. The organisation has not publicly confirmed the details shown in the footage.