Ben Shapiro denies Candace Owens was axed over Israel comments
Ben Shapiro denied that Candace Owens had parted ways with the right-wing news and commentary website The Daily Wire over “differences over Israel,” but said her comments were hinted at deviating from the “Overton Window.”
Shapiro, who co-founded the Daily Wire with Jeremy Bolling, said there were “many other factors at play” that led to the conservative commentator’s resignation last week.
Before his ouster, Owens had been a vocal critic of Israel, which launched a military operation in Gaza following the Oct. 7 massacre by Hamas that killed at least 1,200 Israelis.
Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro addressed Candace Owens’ departure from the site. Getty ImagesOwens parted ways with the Daily Wire last week after a series of controversial statements. Chris Dilts/Sipa USA
She then reappeared on Locals, a subscription-based video and newsletter platform.
“She’s free to do whatever she wants and be wherever she wants,” Shapiro told podcaster Dave Rubin on Thursday when asked about Owens.
Mr. Shapiro said that while Locals is a “platform,” [which] The Daily Wire said it was a “publisher” and had “no obligation” to pay anyone whose opinions were not “within the Overton window.”
The Overton Window, named after the late political scientist Joseph Overton, is considered the range of political viewpoints that are considered acceptable to mainstream society.
Shapiro said Owens’ remarks were outside the company’s “Overton window.” SOPA Image/LightRocket (via Getty Images)
“The Daily Wire will not hire a host who is staunchly pro-abortion, and it will not pay a host who is staunchly pro-abortion,” Shapiro said. “There is no obligation to acquire hosts that do so.”
Shapiro denied that the Daily Wire had a “free speech problem,” responding to criticism that the site removed Owens for criticizing Israel while also criticizing cancel culture. Mentioned.
He said that “no one ever said” that Owens was not allowed to criticize Israel, but that “the reality is that there is an Overton Window at the Daily Wire.” .
The newspaper reached out to Owens for comment.
Owens, who amassed a following as a blogger and YouTube personality before joining the Daily Wire, has made several comments that the Anti-Defamation League said amounted to “virulent anti-Semitism.”
Mr. Owens has criticized not only the Israeli government but also “political Jews” in the United States. Getty Images
She recently accused “political Jews” of stirring up anti-Semitism, while speculating that “secret Jewish gangs” were behind “horrible acts” against Hollywood figures.
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Owens, 34, also said that “a group of Jews in Hollywood” were “involved in something very sinister.”
She also favorited a post by X that invoked an ancient libel that accused Jews of drinking the blood of Christians.
After Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, Owens criticized the Israeli military’s response in Gaza, writing on social media: There is no justification for genocide. ”
Shapiro, an Orthodox Jew and staunch defender of Israel, said Owens’ comments on the subject were “absolutely disgraceful.”
In response, Owens wrote to X, “You cannot serve both God and money.”
In a post last week on The landlord accused him of being a “landlord.”
In a recent radio interview, Owens said Shapiro “doesn’t have the authority to fire me.”
The Post has contacted the Daily Wire for comment.
Ben Shapiro denies Candace Owens was axed over Israel comments
Ben Shapiro denied that Candace Owens had parted ways with the right-wing news and commentary website The Daily Wire over “differences over Israel,” but said her comments were hinted at deviating from the “Overton Window.”
Shapiro, who co-founded the Daily Wire with Jeremy Bolling, said there were “many other factors at play” that led to the conservative commentator’s resignation last week.
Before his ouster, Owens had been a vocal critic of Israel, which launched a military operation in Gaza following the Oct. 7 massacre by Hamas that killed at least 1,200 Israelis.
She then reappeared on Locals, a subscription-based video and newsletter platform.
“She’s free to do whatever she wants and be wherever she wants,” Shapiro told podcaster Dave Rubin on Thursday when asked about Owens.
Mr. Shapiro said that while Locals is a “platform,” [which] The Daily Wire said it was a “publisher” and had “no obligation” to pay anyone whose opinions were not “within the Overton window.”
The Overton Window, named after the late political scientist Joseph Overton, is considered the range of political viewpoints that are considered acceptable to mainstream society.
“The Daily Wire will not hire a host who is staunchly pro-abortion, and it will not pay a host who is staunchly pro-abortion,” Shapiro said. “There is no obligation to acquire hosts that do so.”
Shapiro denied that the Daily Wire had a “free speech problem,” responding to criticism that the site removed Owens for criticizing Israel while also criticizing cancel culture. Mentioned.
He said that “no one ever said” that Owens was not allowed to criticize Israel, but that “the reality is that there is an Overton Window at the Daily Wire.” .
The newspaper reached out to Owens for comment.
Owens, who amassed a following as a blogger and YouTube personality before joining the Daily Wire, has made several comments that the Anti-Defamation League said amounted to “virulent anti-Semitism.”
She recently accused “political Jews” of stirring up anti-Semitism, while speculating that “secret Jewish gangs” were behind “horrible acts” against Hollywood figures.
Start your day with everything you need to know
Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos, and more.
Thank you for registering!
Owens, 34, also said that “a group of Jews in Hollywood” were “involved in something very sinister.”
She also favorited a post by X that invoked an ancient libel that accused Jews of drinking the blood of Christians.
After Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, Owens criticized the Israeli military’s response in Gaza, writing on social media: There is no justification for genocide. ”
Shapiro, an Orthodox Jew and staunch defender of Israel, said Owens’ comments on the subject were “absolutely disgraceful.”
In response, Owens wrote to X, “You cannot serve both God and money.”
In a post last week on The landlord accused him of being a “landlord.”
In a recent radio interview, Owens said Shapiro “doesn’t have the authority to fire me.”
The Post has contacted the Daily Wire for comment.
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