Candace Owens is turning up the heat in her ongoing public feud with Erika Kirk.
In the second installment of her docuseries Bride of Charlie, released Thursday, Owens alleges that Kirk and her mother, Lori Frantzve, have long harbored ambitions of fame — and were willing to aggressively pursue it.
Owens claims that long before Erika married conservative activist Charlie Kirk, her late husband, she was being coached by her mother to position herself strategically in influential circles.
“What people have said to me is she’s always had someone in her ear,” Owens said in the episode, alleging that Frantzve encouraged her daughter to “work the room,” adapt her personality and align herself with high-profile figures. According to Owens, sources from Erika’s past described both mother and daughter as intensely driven by status and visibility.
Owens cited conversations she says she had with one of Erika’s former boyfriends, who allegedly warned that Erika would “do anything to get to the top,” with her mother equally committed to helping her succeed.
Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, speaks during AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center on Dec. 18, 2025.
“She wanted Erika to be famous,” Owens said of Frantzve. “But let’s not remove Erika from this. Erika desperately wanted to be famous.”
Owens also pointed to Erika’s dating history and career moves as evidence of what she describes as a pattern. She referenced Erika’s past relationship with JT Massey and noted that Erika once auditioned for The Amazing Race with a former boyfriend in 2014. Owens argued that Erika consistently pursued relationships with ambitious or high-profile men, rather than “normal nine-to-five guys.”
“You can see the trajectory,” Owens said, suggesting Erika aimed to align herself with men headed for professional sports or television opportunities.
The episode marks the latest chapter in a growing public rift between Owens and Erika Kirk, who became CEO of Turning Point USA following Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting in September 2025 at a Utah university event. A suspect was arrested in connection with the killing, though legal proceedings are still ongoing.
Owens, a former communications director for Turning Point, has been openly critical of Erika’s leadership and public demeanor since Charlie’s death. Earlier this year, Owens released audio reportedly recorded two weeks after the shooting, questioning whether Erika appeared to be grieving “too quickly.”
“We know everybody grieves differently,” Owens said at the time. “But I imagined she would be more upset.”
Candace Owens speaks at a Liberty University convocation at the Vines Center in Lynchburg, Virginia. Owens, a conservative commentator, has earned the support of rapper Kanye West and President Donald Trump.
Erika has largely responded to criticism by focusing on honoring her late husband publicly. On her 37th birthday earlier this month, she posted a heartfelt Instagram tribute reflecting on the life they had envisioned together — from growing old side by side to watching their children grow up.
“I romanticized growing old with you,” she wrote, describing their private hopes and dreams.
Representatives for Erika Kirk and Lori Frantzve have not publicly responded to Owens’ latest claims.
As the docuseries continues, Owens promises a deeper dive into Erika’s past. With high-profile accusations, personal history and the future of a major conservative organization at stake, the controversy shows no signs of slowing down.
