Candace Owens Questions Ben Shapiro's Security Amid Charlie Kirk Shooting Controversy

“Who on Charlie’s team betrayed”: Candace Owens raises explosive questions over Ben Shapiro security updates (Image via Getty)

Candace Owens has reignited her public feud with Ben Shapiro after claiming that his security team received updates while the late Charlie Kirk was being rushed to a hospital following the September 2025 shooting. In a lengthy X post published on July 8, 2026, Owens questioned why communication was taking place between the two security teams during what she described as Charlie Kirk’s final moments. Her comments sparked debate online, drawing responses from supporters, critics, and former Daily Wire executives. So far, Owens has not provided evidence to support her broader allegations, and several people she mentioned have disputed her claims.

What did Candace Owens claim about Ben Shapiro and Charlie Kirk’s security team?

The controversy began when Owens shared a post that opened with: “BREAKING NEWS! Ben Shapiro just confessed on his show that while Charlie was being transported to the hospital and bleeding out to death, his security was on the phone with Charlie’s security receiving updates.” She then questioned why updates were allegedly being passed along during those critical moments, writing: “Someone explain to me why during the minutes while Charlie was DYING in the back seat of the car, Charlie’s security team was providing updates to Ben Shapiro’s team rather than focusing entirely on saving Charlie’s life and finding the killer?” Owens also referenced Brian Harpole, a security team member who has filed a defamation lawsuit against her, and suggested there were unanswered questions about who was communicating with Shapiro’s team. The post went further, with Owens asking, “WHO ON CHARLIE’S SECURITY TEAM BETRAYED HIM IN THIS WAY?!” She also questioned why Shapiro had not publicly discussed the alleged updates earlier. A day later, Owens doubled down on her claims. In a follow-up post, she wrote: “This is positively explosive. In a live show on the day of Charlie’s assassination he pretended as though he was learning information with the rest us.”

How did Candace Owens respond to Jeremy Boreing and the timeline debate?

As the discussion grew, Owens exchanged messages with former Daily Wire executive Jeremy Boreing. In one response, she asked: “Was it Jake and/or Robin of FRG that were on the phone with Charlie’s security in the crucial minutes that Charlie bled out on the way to the hospital. It’s a yes or no question, Jeremy.” In another post, she challenged Boreing’s explanation and suggested there were inconsistencies in the account being presented. Owens also focused on the timing of public reports about the shooting. She wrote: “The first public post that we can find claiming Charlie Kirk was shot began circulating at 12:32pm.” She then questioned how updates could have reached Shapiro’s security team before the news became widely public. Another point raised by Owens involved Shapiro’s show production process. She stated: “So that everyone understands, Ben Shapiro’s show is not recorded live. He pre-records, and then the show is sent through editing and legal. He did not misspeak.” The debate stems from comments made by Shapiro on his show, where he said his security team had been in contact with Charlie Kirk’s security team while Kirk was being transported to a hospital. According to Shapiro, the communication helped provide information about the situation and security concerns. Critics of Owens argue that such coordination could be a normal security response, especially amid fears that other conservative figures might also be at risk. Boreing has publicly defended the communication as standard security coordination and accused Owens of misrepresenting events. As of July 8, 2026, Owens continues to argue that the communication raises serious questions, while her critics maintain that she is drawing conclusions without evidence.