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MAHMOOD SANGLAY
Candace Owens is a 35-year-old conservative American political commentator and activist in US media and politics. She is a Catholic, known for her outspoken criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement and strong advocacy for the Republican Party. Her views on Israel are now radically transformed.
Owens gained prominence through social media and public appearances, where she challenged mainstream narratives on race, politics and culture. Her controversial stances and alignment with conservative ideals make her a polarising yet influential figure in modern American politics.
In March 2024 she was fired for alleged antisemitism from The Daily Wire, an American right-wing platform hosted by the Zionist Ben Shapiro, amongst others. Arguably, this break-up marks the beginning of her transformation from blind American jingoism. Late in 2024, her interviews with anti-establishment American figures, like former naval officer Phillip Tourney and former CIA agent Kevin Shipp are, in a sense, political Damascus moments.
The revelations in these interviews of US government treachery, CIA dirty tactics and Israeli war crimes are nothing new for reasonable and discerning consumers of a healthy and balanced media diet. But these are devastating and sensational revelations for Owens and the average American, including her vast audience.
Her interview with Phillip Tourney adds a critical layer of complexity to the argument that Candace Owens is awakening to the damaging myths perpetuated by ideological extremes, including narratives around Islam.
The USS Liberty incident and the revelations in this interview can be integrated into the broader narrative of Owens’ ideological evolution. Tourney’s narrative exposes a moment of profound betrayal, where US leadership prioritised Israeli interests over the lives of its own servicemen. Owens, in her dialogue with Tourney, expresses shock and disillusionment upon learning of this event. Her reaction demonstrates a critical reassessment of the US government’s actions, including its imperialist tendencies and its alliances that often marginalise the interests of its own people.
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Piers Morgan is a bigoted host known for denying the Israeli genocide, for downplaying the atrocities of Israel and for his obsession with the question, ‘Do you condemn Hamas?’ In his interview with Owens the latter explains why she is ‘disgusted’ with herself (18:06) for failing to wake up to the truth behind the Zionist campaign to smear any criticism of Israel as anti-semitic.
This newfound awareness aligns with Owens’ increasing willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. The USS Liberty narrative highlights the role of US administrations, often associated with right-wing policies, in betraying their constituents for geopolitical gains. Owens’ engagement with Tourney reveals her awakening to these dynamics.
While Owens critiques the right-wing’s complicity in imperialist policies, she also acknowledges the left’s role in perpetuating performative activism that often lacks substance. For instance, leftist factions often use the Palestinian cause as a rhetorical device without addressing deeper systemic issues, such as the US government’s prioritisation of Israeli interests.
The Tourney and Morgan interviews show Owens speaking openly about her previous ignorance, signaling a readiness to advocate for marginalised truths. This ideological shift is emblematic of her broader journey—moving from a staunch ideological position to a more critical, inclusive worldview.
The Phillip Tourney interview deepens the narrative of Owens’ transformation. By confronting the betrayal of US servicemen for political expediency and connecting it to broader themes of justice, Owens positions herself as a figure willing to challenge dominant myths. Through this awakening, she emerges as a voice advocating for truth and justice across ideological and cultural divides.
