The American right is no stranger to internal rifts, but the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, a high-profile conservative activist and one-time staunch pro-Israel lobbyist, has sent tremors through the movement and ignited a firestorm of controversy. Kirk’s dramatic reversal on Israel, revealed just two days before his death, and the subsequent swirl of conspiracy theories, have exposed deepening fractures within the Republican Party over the United States’ relationship with Israel.
According to Press TV, Cadence Owens, a prominent conservative commentator, dropped a political bombshell during a livestreamed episode on her YouTube channel on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. Owens shared screenshots from a private group chat involving nine people, including Kirk, that took place 48 hours before his assassination. In the chat, Kirk vented his frustration at the pro-Israel lobby’s powerful grip on American politics and revealed his decision to leave the cause after a major donor withdrew support. “I cannot and will not be bullied like this,” Kirk wrote, adding, “leaving me no choice, but to leave the pro-Israel cause.”
The screenshot, which Owens described as “irrefutable” evidence, captured Kirk’s mounting resentment toward what he saw as undue pressure from wealthy Zionist backers. In the chat, Kirk lamented losing a “huge Jewish donor. $2 million a year because we won’t cancel Tucker,” referring to his refusal to drop political commentator Tucker Carlson from his events. The billionaire in question, while unnamed in the chat, was widely speculated online to be Robert J. Shillman, angered by Kirk’s intention to give a platform to both Carlson and Owens—both known for their criticism of the pro-Israel lobby.
As Turning Point USA (TPUSA), the conservative youth organization Kirk founded, confirmed the authenticity of the texts, the revelations sent shockwaves through social media and the conservative world. The group also confirmed that Kirk had written a warning letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prior to his death. “Jewish donors play into all the stereotypes. I cannot and will not be bullied like this. Leaving me no choice but to leave the pro Israel cause,” Kirk stated in the messages, as reported by multiple sources.
The news of Kirk’s decision to break with the pro-Israel lobby came as a bolt from the blue for many. Kirk had long been a vocal supporter of Israel, even going so far as to deny the existence of the US-backed war in Gaza that began in October 2023, a conflict widely condemned as a humanitarian catastrophe. That he would suddenly and publicly turn his back on the cause, especially after years of unwavering support, stunned both allies and critics alike.
But the story took a darker turn just two days after the chat. On September 10, 2025, Kirk was assassinated by a single gunshot to the neck while fielding questions about gun violence during a campus debate at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Amateur footage captured the moment he collapsed under a tent, the event quickly devolving into chaos. The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested shortly after the attack and remains in custody, according to reports compiled from Press TV and other outlets.
The timing of Kirk’s assassination, so soon after his decision to leave the pro-Israel lobby became known to a small inner circle, fueled a torrent of conspiracy theories. As Article 2 notes, some right-wing commentators and conspiracy theorists have speculated that Israel or its supporters orchestrated Kirk’s death because of his planned break with the lobby. While these claims remain unproven and highly contentious—indeed, many observers dismiss them as outlandish—Candace Owens’ release of the group chat texts has given new life to the rumors and deepened the rift within the American right.
Owens herself is no stranger to controversy. She has a history of anti-Israel sentiment and has been accused of antisemitism, a charge she disputes. In the past, she has suggested that AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel lobbying group, was involved in the assassination of former president John F. Kennedy and has referenced a “cult” hiding criminals in Israel. Her supporters argue that she’s exposing hypocrisy among conservative elites, while her critics accuse her of fueling division and trafficking in dangerous conspiracies.
Tucker Carlson, another major figure in the conservative movement, has also been vocal in his criticism of Israel and Netanyahu. On his September 17, 2025, program, Carlson claimed that Kirk had often expressed negative views about the Israeli Prime Minister, telling viewers, “He did not like Bibi Netanyahu and he said that to me many times and he said to people around him many times. He felt that Bibi Netanyahu was a very destructive force.” Carlson further alleged that Netanyahu uses the United States to fight wars serving Israel’s interests—a dynamic Kirk reportedly found “shameful and humiliating.”
Carlson’s remarks echoed a growing sentiment among some on the right: that the US-Israel relationship, once considered sacrosanct, is now up for debate. The conservative movement, long united in its support for Israel, is splintering into two camps—those who support the status quo of near-unconditional backing, and those who question what America gets in return. The death of Charlie Kirk, and the revelations about his final days, have brought this simmering debate to a boil.
Meanwhile, the official investigation into Kirk’s murder continues. While conspiracy theories abound, there is no public evidence linking the Israeli government or pro-Israel lobby to the crime. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any involvement, though his denials have done little to quell speculation among some right-wing activists. As Article 2 notes, the repeated public denials have only fueled further suspicion among the movement’s more conspiratorial fringes.
In the aftermath of Kirk’s assassination, prominent voices on the right have called for unity and caution. Some warn that the current wave of infighting and finger-pointing could do lasting damage to the conservative movement and to America’s relationship with Israel. Others see the moment as a turning point—a chance to reexamine old alliances and demand greater accountability from political leaders and donors alike.
Regardless of where the truth lies, one thing is clear: the death of Charlie Kirk has become a flashpoint in the ongoing struggle over the soul of the American right. As conspiracy theories swirl and tempers flare, the movement faces a stark choice—cling to the old certainties, or confront the uncomfortable questions raised by one of its own.
For now, the future of the US-Israel relationship—and the future of the conservative movement itself—remains uncertain. But the shockwaves from Charlie Kirk’s final days and tragic death will be felt for a long time to come.
