Candace Ep 288 – American Horror Story: Charlie Kirk’s “Shining” Disciples

Date: January 13, 2026
Host: Candace Owens
Summary by Podcast Summarizer AI

Episode Overview

This unfiltered solo episode delves into Candace Owens’ ongoing investigation into the inner workings and scandals surrounding Turning Point USA, its evolution into Turning Point Faith, and its entanglement with figures like Charlie Kirk, Andrew Colvett, Johnny Moore, and Liberty University. Candace draws parallels between recent evangelical operations and the infamous Moonies cult, questioning the motivations and financial practices behind the rise of religiosity at Turning Point. The episode also covers a broader critique of the Israel lobby’s influence on American discourse, personal anecdotes, and reactions to public pressure about “thought crimes” and loyalty oaths in conservative media.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Turning Point USA: From Free Markets to Faith

• Timestamps: [00:34] – [04:00], recurring throughout
• Candace questions when TPUSA shifted from free-market activism to religious messaging.
• Suggests creation of the Falkirk Center was the pivot, linking it to ensuing scandals that took down both Jerry Falwell Jr. and Charlie Kirk.
• Implies the shift to “church” mode served ulterior motives—suggesting potential for ideology manipulation or cult-like control.

2. PR Blunders Following Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

• Timestamps: [02:00] – [07:30]
• Owens satirizes bizarre and aggressive public relations campaigns after Kirk's death, e.g., “Operation Candace Has Gone Crazy,” “Operation Debunk Mitch and Fort Huachuca,” and ridicule of her dreams.
  • Quote: “Whoever is in control of these operations has a bit of a lead foot… too much gas on the pedal at all times.” – Candace [03:45]
• Candace speculates the ineptitude reveals panic among Kirk’s inner circle, attributing the campaigns to someone with “a lot of money to spend…[but] an idiot.”

3. Candace’s Dreams and Andrew Colvett’s Role

• Timestamps: [08:00] – [15:45]
• Reports a recurring, vivid dream about Kirk after his death, replaying a lunch in Israel with ominous messages about betrayal.
  • Kirk in the dream says: “I don’t have much time… they betrayed me.” [11:30]
• The face of Andrew Colvett appears as the “betrayer”; Candace texts Colvett and never hears back, now suspecting he orchestrated attacks against her.
• Quote: “If it was just a dream, why does it require so much effort on the PR front?” [13:15]

4. Witchcraft Accusation and Karma

• Timestamps: [15:45] – [18:30]
• Candace recalls Andrew Colvett seriously asking if she was a witch, based on misfortunes befalling her public critics.
• She says she believes in “swift karma”—consequences occurring both for herself and others.

5. Moonies Cult Parallels & Liberty University Power Struggles

• Timestamps: [18:45] – [28:15]
• Draws detailed parallels between the Moonies and the new trajectory of TPUSA Faith:
  • Cult-like behavior, financial exploitation (soliciting estates, property), and the creation of a “messiah” figure.
• Asserts TPUSA Faith is a “Moonies 2.0,” with the goal of global religious unification and obedience.
  • Quote: “[The] intention behind the Moonies cult… was one-world government achieved through the concept of a Unification Church.” [32:45]
• Outlines how Jerry Falwell Jr.’s ouster at Liberty University enabled Johnny Moore’s return and increased his influence.
  • “Johnny Moore… minted The Kairos Company with none other than Andrew Colvett of Turning Point USA.” [27:00]

6. The Israel Lobby and Censorship in Conservative Media

• Timestamps: [28:15] – [36:00]
• Details how the ADL (Anti-Defamation League), Johnny Moore, and others within evangelical circles have lobbied to stifle dissent or criticism of Israel.
• Segments from Johnny Moore:
  • Quote: “[The ADL] is a practical way for me to get into this fight against hate for good…” – Johnny Moore [22:24]
  • “We are committed to building a great wall of Christian Zionism all over the world to push back the forces of antisemitism.” – Johnny Moore [23:15]
• Questions the ethics of US politicians allowing foreign influence from Israel while suppressing American free speech.
  • “Israel is starting to squeeze Americans… I actually have to pay these people my taxes.” [41:30]

7. Likud Party Official Declares Candace and Tucker Carlson Enemies of Israel

• Timestamps: [35:10] – [36:24]
• Plays a Knesset speech denouncing Candace and Tucker Carlson as “intellectual vandals” and “enemies from within.”
  • Quote: “I am speaking of a poison being sold to the American people as patriotism… Tucker Carlson tears down the legacy of Winston Churchill… Candace Owens says the roots of our faith are demonic…” – Likud Member [35:10]
• Candace asserts this rhetoric is an incitement to violence and proof that speech (not acts) is now the enemy.

8. Megyn Kelly on Israel Lobby Pressure

• Timestamps: [39:24] – [41:12]
• Candace plays a candid segment from Megyn Kelly describing private pressure from pro-Israel figures to denounce Candace, and her refusal to comply.
  • Quote: “It’s because I won’t de-friend you and won’t condemn and say Candace Owens is hateful. I am responsible for what I say, not for what anybody else says.” – Megyn Kelly [39:47]
• Candace reflects on her own similar experiences with demands to attack others (“Nick Fuentes” example) as coordinated bullying.

9. Military, Media, and Deep State Conspiracies

• Timestamps: [47:15] – End
• Cautions about government and military corruption, linking old military operations to ongoing global manipulation.
• Alludes to the possibility of school shooting cover-ups, child trafficking, and false flag operations (Pearl Harbor, Vietnam War, 9/11) as part of a longer trajectory.

10. Open Q&A and Listener Comments

• Discusses audience reactions, donations, and ongoing research into key players (Erica Kirk, Andrew Colvett).
• Promises future episodes will dig deeper into unsolved mysteries and controversial personal profiles.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On PR Chaos:
  “Whoever is in control of these operations has a bit of a lead foot… too much gas on the pedal at all times.” — Candace [03:45]

• On Her Dream About Kirk:
  “I believe his soul was in purgatory. And I believe that you know much more than you’ve said publicly or privately.” — Candace (her text to Colvett) [13:15]

• On Cult Tactics:
  “They are repeatedly establishing a messianic figure and expect people to follow them because how dare you question the Bible. It’s all really sick when you think about it.” — Candace [32:45]

• Johnny Moore on the ADL:
  “I’m on the advisory board for the Aspen Institute and ADL Civil Society Fellowship… It’s been… a practical way for me to get into this fight against hate for good.” — Johnny Moore [22:24]

• Likud Official’s Speech:
  “I am speaking of a poison being sold to the American people as patriotism… I am speaking of the intellectual vandalism of Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens… it is the same hatred of the West dressed up in a different costume.” — Likud Official [35:10]

• Megyn Kelly on Backlash:
  “They want me really, really badly to condemn Candace Owens… I am responsible for what I say, not for what anybody else says.” — Megyn Kelly [39:47]

• On Censorship:
  “You behave like a gang… you’re not allowed to have a mic and speak unless you’re willing to bend the knee to us.” — Candace [41:20]

Timeline of Key Segments

• Introduction, setup & context: [00:00]-[04:00]
• PR chaos post-assassination: [04:00]-[07:00]
• Candace’s dreams & betrayal theme: [08:00]-[15:45]
• Witchcraft, karma & Colvett: [15:45]-[18:30]
• Moonies, cults & money: [18:45]-[28:15]
• Liberty U/Johnny Moore/Kairos/Colvett: [21:00]-[31:00]
• ADL & Israel lobby operations: [28:15]-[36:00]
• Likud speech (“enemies of Israel”): [35:10]-[36:24]
• Megyn Kelly segment: [39:24]-[41:12]
• Candace’s analysis & audience engagement: [41:12]-end

Tone & Style

Candace’s delivery is biting, conspiratorial, anecdotal, and heavily personal. She blends reporting, speculation, and commentary with dark humor and recurring references to “the vibe.” The tone veers from sarcastic disbelief at her opposition, to genuine frustration and wariness about the motives behind recent American evangelical and conservative leadership moves.

Concluding Themes

• The rise of orchestrated “faith” organizations as covert power and financial structures.
• Direct, coordinated attempts to silence dissent via PR operations, character assassination, and scare campaigns.
• The tight interweaving of American evangelical, pro-Israel, and intelligence interests.
• Candace’s call for bravery, independent speech, and skepticism toward establishment narratives—especially in the face of heavy-handed attempts at narrative control.

For listeners who missed this episode: This is a dense, conspiratorial, and intensely personal episode where Candace Owens goes deep on the fallout after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, exposes what she claims are cult tactics at the heart of Turning Point USA’s new faith model, and draws a direct line from mid-20th century CIA cult operations to 2026’s American right-wing media. The episode is crucial listening for those following the latest crises in conservative movement leadership or the growing conflicts over Israel and free speech.