Candace Owens is defending herself from criticism that she has been insulting to The Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro.
On her self-titled podcast, Owens interviewed Rabbi Michael Barclay who argued that the conservative commentator had “castigated” Shapiro for his pro-Israel opinions.
“I just wanted to ask you what you were referring to because actually what happened was Ben insulted me publicly. I have not insulted Ben publicly,” she declared.
The back and forth between Shapiro and Owens — colleagues at The Daily Wire — began after a video showing Shaprio criticizing Owens surfaced in the wake of the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel.
“I think that her faux sophistication on these particular issues has been ridiculous,” Shapiro said last year.
In response, Owens took to social media, posting scriptures, including one that could be interpreted as anti-Semitic.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money,” Owens wrote. Shapiro responded by suggesting Owens should quit if her job was getting between her and God.
Candace Owens later called Ben Shapiro “unprofessional” and “emotionally unhinged”, before appearing on Tucker Carlson’s digital video program where she claimed she would have been “embarrassed” to act like The Daily Wire co-founder. She added that Shapiro’s conduct “speaks more to Ben’s character than it speaks to mine.”
Throughout the ordeal, Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing has remained adamant that the company had no interest in severing ties with Owens.
“We employ people [and] give them a platform to give their opinion. We’re not always going to agree with the opinions that they give,” he said at the time of the feud.
“Candace is paid to give her opinion, not mine or Ben’s,” he added. “Unless those opinions run afoul of the law or she violates the terms of her contract in some way, her job is secure and she is welcome at Daily Wire.”
