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The Times of India
The Times of India
World
Barsha Dutta

"The board voted to appoint Erika": Charlie Kirk’s alleged “dying wish” sparks major backlash from Candace Owens

Questions surrounding the future of Turning Point USA have exploded again after new claims emerged about what Charlie Kirk allegedly said before his death. What began as a report about succession planning has now turned into a heated public dispute involving Candace Owens, TPUSA leadership, and fresh allegations about hidden footage.

The controversy intensified after Daily Mail reporter Charlie Spiering responded directly to Owens online and claimed there was real video evidence showing Kirk naming his wife, Erika, as the person he wanted leading the organization if something happened to him. The exchange immediately reignited conspiracy theories and accusations already circulating for months after Kirk’s shocking death in 2025.

Candace Owens questions Charlie Kirk succession video

Owens, who was previously associated with Turning Point USA and often described herself as close to Kirk, publicly challenged the report after noticing the alleged video was not embedded in the article itself. She questioned both the timing and authenticity of the claims while accusing TPUSA of avoiding transparency.

“I’m sorry but I still can’t get over this. Turning Point USA colluded with the Daily Mail to host a screening of the now “secret video” of Charlie naming Erika as his successor,” she wrote on X.

Owens then expanded on her concerns, suggesting the audio presented during the event may not even be genuine.

“This video is crucial. It was introduced to the public by Erika as Charlie’s dying wish: her takeover of the company. Erika CHOSE to walk out to Charlie’s alleged voice naming her as the CEO at Amfest, but stopped short of airing the video footage. Donors who were present say the audio is A.I., and that Charlie never uttered these words at the event in question. Turning Point is now gaslighting us—bringing in experts to secretly screen and report on the video while claiming its existence doesn’t even matter because Charlie had told his friends that’s what he wanted. WTF is going on?”

Her comments quickly spread across social media, fueling another wave of speculation around TPUSA’s leadership transition.

Charlie Kirk succession claims linked to Donald Trump assassination attempt

Spiering later responded directly to Owens and defended the reporting behind the story.

“You’re right, Candace. The video is crucial, which is why I asked @TPUSA to see it. I approached them in good faith, and they agreed. It’s real, and multiple people who were in Aspen that day remember the moment.”

The reporter then revealed what he described as the real reason Kirk had seriously considered succession planning before his death. According to Spiering, the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania deeply affected Kirk and forced him to think about the future of the organization.

“I spoke to several Turning Point donors and close friends of Charlie who revealed that after Butler, there was a very real fear about his safety and the future of his organization. Charlie reassured them: He would leave Turning Point to Erika and the board to carry on the mission if the worst happened,” the journalist said.

The fresh claims have now added another dramatic chapter to the ongoing controversy surrounding Kirk’s death, Erika’s leadership, and the future direction of Turning Point USA.

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