Candace Owens’ latest and most explosive claim—that French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have “paid” for her assassination—has triggered a wave of widespread skepticism from critics, fact-checkers, and even former allies in the conservative media ecosystem.
While Owens framed her allegation as an urgent national security threat, many observers say it resembles a familiar pattern: another in a string of unverified conspiracies that have increasingly defined her public persona.
The controversy erupted after Owens posted a statement on X alleging that a “high-ranking employee of the French government” warned her that an elite tactical unit in France had been given a “green light” to kill her. She named GIGN, France’s famed counterterrorism and hostage-rescue force, claiming one Israeli operative was also part of the supposed hit team.
Within hours, GIGN dismissed the allegation outright, telling French outlets that the claim was pure “fake news” and noting that its missions are strictly limited to counterterrorism and protection—not political assassinations targeting American media personalities.
Critics Say the Story Doesn’t Add Up
The internet’s reaction was swift—and largely incredulous. Digital creator Kita Rose, in a widely shared Instagram video, said the “math ain’t mathin,’” highlighting what critics view as gaping holes in Owens’ narrative. The strongest pushback came from those who noted the timing: Owens is currently being sued for defamation by the Macrons for repeatedly amplifying a conspiracy theory that Brigitte Macron is secretly a man.
“Why would they kill you when they’re already suing you?” the creator asked in her video. “They want their coins, not a crime scene.”
Other commentators pointed out the political irony: Owens claims she sought help from the Trump administration but was refused—an awkward contradiction given that she has built much of her brand on insisting Trump protects conservatives like her.
“To say Trump won’t help you means you’ve been lying to your audience for years,” Kita Rose said. “And I, well…” she remarked, trailing off for comedic effect.
A Pattern of Conspiracies—and a Shrinking Audience
Owens’ assassination allegation is just the latest in a series of increasingly extreme claims. She has previously insisted:
- that Charlie Kirk’s murder was part of a larger covert plot,
- that dinosaurs never existed,
- that the moon landing was fake,
- and that major political events, including the Epstein case, are part of vast hidden networks.
Experts say the escalation in rhetoric mirrors her escalating legal troubles. According to Conspiracy Watch director Rudy Reichstadt, Owens’ shift toward “the most radical conspiracy theories” appears linked to the Macrons’ lawsuit and her declining standing among mainstream conservatives.
“She began to adopt increasingly controversial positions, peddling conspiracy theories and antisemitic claims,” Reichstadt told Euronews. “Today, she has been abandoned by one arm of the conspiracist sphere.”
A Viral Claim With No Evidence Behind It
Owens’ assassination post has racked up more than 40 million views, but like many of her previous claims, it contains no corroborating evidence. French authorities have dismissed it. No government officials have verified it. No independent journalist has found supporting documentation.
Her ally in the Brigitte Macron gender conspiracy, French far-right figure Xavier Poussard, was also named as a supposed target of the same assassination team—another claim unsupported by evidence.
Still, Owens insists she is at risk.
A Long Trail of Harmful Narratives
The backlash isn’t simply about her latest allegation—it’s also about the damage critics say she has done in the past. In her viral critique, Kita Rose points to Owens’ history of commentary that has harmed marginalized groups, including Black Americans, trans people, and the family of Breonna Taylor.
For those critics, the current episode feels like a pattern of performative victimhood fueled by misinformation—and one that’s reaching new, more dangerous heights.
What Comes Next
With a defamation suit underway and her assassination claim facing public scrutiny, Owens’ future appears increasingly uncertain. Whether this latest controversy strengthens her influence among conspiracy-oriented followers or accelerates her isolation remains to be seen.
But to the many observers who doubt her latest claim, one thing already seems clear: there is no credible evidence of an assassination plot—and plenty of evidence of a conspiracy machine running on fumes.
