Podcast Summary: Candace Ep 121 – "I WON. 'Antisemite of the Year'"

Title: I WON. “Antisemite of the Year”
Host: Candace Owens
Release Date: December 16, 2024
Duration: Approximately 25 minutes
Description: In this episode, Candace Owens addresses the controversial designation of being named “Anti Semite of the Year” by the watchdog group Stop Anti Semitism. She delves into the accusations, defends her stance, and discusses the broader implications of how antisemitism is being used in contemporary discourse. Additionally, Owens analyzes the backlash faced by WNBA star Caitlin Clark over her remarks on white privilege.

1. Announcement and Initial Reaction (00:00 - 08:33)

Candace Owens opens the episode with surprising news: she has been named “Anti Semite of the Year” by Stop Anti Semitism, an organization she critiques for its actions against her.

• Candace Owens [00:00]:
  “Happy Monday from London. And it is a happy Monday indeed, because I won. I won. I didn't expect it. I played it cool. But it's recently now been announced that it is me. I am the Anti Semite of the year.”

Owens expresses disbelief and criticizes the group for labeling her in such a manner. She references a New York Post article highlighting the award and includes a disparaging quote from Leora Rez, the founder of Stop Anti Semitism.

• Leora Rez [08:33]:
  “Candace Owens’ witches brew of antisemitism drew from vile medieval blood libels, including claims that Jews Dr. Christian blood conspiracies, that Jews are pedophiles who control the media and are taking over America and modern toxic anti-Israel hysteria. There is no psychotic rabbit hole too extreme for this poisonous hater.”

2. Social Media Backlash and Defense (08:33 - 18:15)

Owens discusses the widespread negative reaction on social media platforms following the announcement. She highlights how the community overwhelmingly criticized the designation.

• Candace Owens [12:45]:
  “You can’t just keep calling everyone Adolf Hitler. You're taking the sting out of Adolf Hitler. People are now making jokes about Adolf Hitler because you just refer to every person that you have a disagreement with as a spawn of Hitler.”

She reads supportive comments from Instagram, emphasizing that many believe the designation is baseless and a form of slander.

• Instagram User [07:15]:
  “Candace is a truth teller. Hashtag Christ is king. The truth doesn't make you anti anything. She's a hero.”

Owens draws parallels between the misuse of antisemitism labels and how racism was weaponized during the Black Lives Matter movement, suggesting that such accusations are now easily thrown around to silence dissent.

• Candace Owens [16:50]:
  “If you piss off somebody, they can just call you an anti Semite. And you have to accept that if those accusations are coming from somebody who is Jewish.”

3. Mock Acceptance Speech and Critique of Antisemitism Accusations (18:15 - 25:18)

In a satirical twist, Owens delivers a mock acceptance speech, further criticizing the award and the organization behind it. She sarcastically thanks various Jewish leaders and figures, mocking the reasons provided for her designation.

• Candace Owens [21:10]:
  “I want to thank the people who guided me here, the teachers who got me here, the teachers being the rabbis who got me here. You know, this journey really began for me with Rabbi Barclay...”

She continues to ridicule the absurdity of the accusations, mentioning Greta Thunberg as another recipient and mocking the logic behind labeling actions or symbols (like a stuffed octopus) as antisemitic.

• Candace Owens [24:55]:
  “If we do like a Star Wars edition Anti Semite of the Galaxy, then people will really see that this is about victimhood and maybe it'll be me up against the same people and I have a feeling that I will win.”

Further, Owens criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, accusing him of orchestrating actions that warrant harsher condemnation than her own.

• Candace Owens [25:05]:
  “There's a reason that people voted for Donald Trump. There's a reason that people voted for the union of RFK Jr. Make America Healthy Again and Donald Trump. Because they want to shake up.”

4. Discussion on Caitlin Clark and White Privilege (18:15 - 25:18)

Owens shifts focus to Caitlin Clark, a 22-year-old WNBA star who faced backlash for her comments on white privilege in a Time magazine interview. Clark acknowledged the role of black players in building the league, which sparked outrage among certain groups.

• Caitlin Clark [22:30]:
  “I want to say I've earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege. A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been black players...”

Owens critiques the disproportionate anger directed at Clark, arguing that young athletes like her are unfairly held to impossible standards and are not given the same opportunity to evolve their viewpoints as more established figures.

• Candace Owens [23:51]:
  “She's too popular, she's too talented, and too white. ... Just leave Caitlin Clark alone and allow her to dribble the ball and grow up.”

She highlights the double standards in how comments on race are received, noting that while older figures like Megyn Kelly have been allowed to change their perspectives over time, younger individuals like Clark are not afforded the same grace.

• Megyn Kelly Clip [23:51]:
  “You're too cute by half. And you've managed to off your fan base...”

Owens defends Clark's statements as reasonable and contends that the backlash is more about mob mentality than genuine critique.

• Candace Owens [24:00]:
  “She just wants to play basketball and be great at a sport that she loves. But of course, she is now in an environment where everything is so heavily politicized and she just wants to survive.”

5. Reflections on Media and Public Discourse (25:00 - End)

Towards the end of the episode, Owens reflects on the state of media and public discourse, arguing that certain narratives are being perpetuated without accountability. She emphasizes the importance of debate and open conversation over authoritarian approaches to labeling and censorship.

• Candace Owens [25:10]:
  “They are authoritarian and you will listen to us. Like I said, that mirage is slipping and that's in large part due to Covid.”

She calls for a more reasoned and less sensationalist approach to discussing sensitive issues like antisemitism and race, advocating for platforms where ideas can be debated openly.

• Candace Owens [25:18]:
  “So if you guys supported Candace when she's stuck out to do all of the amazing things she's done and send the same energy to Brett...”

Key Takeaways:

• Accusation Critique: Owens vehemently opposes being labeled “Anti Semite of the Year,” questioning the credibility and motives of the awarding organization.

• Weaponization of Antisemitism: She draws parallels between the misuse of antisemitism and racism labels, suggesting they are tools to suppress dissent.

• Support for Caitlin Clark: Owens defends WNBA star Caitlin Clark against backlash over her comments on white privilege, highlighting perceived double standards in societal reactions.

• Media Accountability: A recurring theme is Owens’ call for more accountable and balanced media narratives, urging for open debate over authoritarian labeling.

Notable Quotes:

• Candace Owens [00:10]:
  “I am the Anti Semite of the year.”

• Leora Rez [08:33]:
  “There is no psychotic rabbit hole too extreme for this poisonous hater.”

• Candace Owens [12:45]:
  “You can't just keep calling everyone Adolf Hitler.”

• Caitlin Clark [22:30]:
  “As a white person, there is privilege...”

• Candace Owens [23:51]:
  “She's too popular, she's too talented, and too white.”

• Megyn Kelly [23:51]:
  “You're too cute by half.”

Conclusion:

In this episode, Candace Owens confronts severe accusations of antisemitism, challenges the legitimacy of the group behind the designation, and extends her defense to Caitlin Clark amidst her own controversy. Owens intertwines critiques of societal labeling practices with personal defenses, advocating for more nuanced and open dialogues on sensitive issues.