Two days before his death, conservative commentator Charlie Kirk expressed strong frustration over pressure from Jewish donors in a group chat. This is shown by text messages now made public by former colleague and commentator Candace Owens.
"Jewish donors play into all of the stereotypes. I cannot and will not be bullied like this, leaving me no choice but to leave the pro-Israel cause."
The messages have been confirmed as authentic by Turning Point USA.
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk's final weeks were marked by intense pressure from major Jewish donors, according to text messages published by former Turning Point colleague Candace Owens in a video analysis on her X channel. The messages, sent in a group chat with nine people just 48 hours before Kirk's death on September 10, 2025, provide insight into the political and financial dilemmas Kirk was grappling with.
Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet has confirmed the authenticity of the text messages and stated that he himself originally took the screenshot of the conversation.
Lost millions after refusing to "cancel Tucker"
In the text conversation, which included pastor Rob McCoy – who leads Turning Point USA's religious branch TPUSA Faith – and conservative author Josh Hammer, Kirk writes: "Just lost another huge Jewish donor. $2 million a year because we won't cancel Tucker. I'm thinking of inviting Candace."
Kirk continues to express his frustration: "Jewish donors play into all of the stereotypes. I cannot and will not be bullied like this, leaving me no choice but to leave the pro-Israel cause."
According to Owens' video analysis, the messages show that Kirk was under significant financial pressure due to his refusal to disinvite Tucker Carlson, known for his critical stance on Israel, from Turning Point USA events.
Another person in the chat, identified as Sedona, responds and advises against it: "Please do not invite Candace. That might feel good short term, but it's not good long term."
"He was done with Israel bullying him"
In her video analysis, Owens describes a long-running conversation she had with Kirk about his changing views on religion and politics. She recounts that Kirk contacted her as early as February 2024 with the words: "Catholicism is sounding better and better."
— We talked a lot about the political pressure, about how I felt it functioned more like a cult than a true theology or religion, Owens says in the video.
She is particularly critical of pastor Rob McCoy's handling of the situation after Kirk's death. McCoy, whose son and daughter-in-law work for Turning Point USA, published a post on Instagram urging Owens to pause her investigation into the events before the murder.
— Rob McCoy knew for an absolute fact that Charlie was done with Israel bullying him. That's what bothers me so much about this man, Owens says and continues:
— If Charlie was a friend of mine, I really hope he would raise hell to figure out what actually happened that day if I was assassinated. It's not being a friend to stay silent when lies are being told.
Confirmation from Turning Point USA
Andrew Kolvet from Turning Point USA confirmed the authenticity of the text messages on Tuesday in an episode of "The Charlie Kirk Show".
"That was a text grab, a screen grab, that I had shared with people, so it is authentic," said Kolvet, who explained that he shared the screenshot with authorities after the murder to ensure a thorough investigation.
Kolvet described Kirk's relationship with Israel as "complicated" and referred to a previous podcast episode with Megyn Kelly where Kirk openly discussed his frustration: "I don't want to judge an entire group, because there's been many people in the pro-Israel group that have been very sweet, very kind, very nuanced… however, the behavior by a lot—both privately and publicly—are pushing people like you and me away."
"Why are you hearing it from me and Tucker Carlson?"
In her analysis, Owens questions why so few other voices within the conservative movement have spoken openly about the pressure Kirk experienced.
— You have people hosting a show. Have they done one honorable thing and come out and said something like: you know what, F a couple of these donors who made his life a living hell in the last couple of weeks? Why haven't they done that? she says.
She points out that she herself, Tucker Carlson, and Megyn Kelly have tried to tell the truth about Kirk's situation, while others have remained silent.
— That registers to me as very suspicious. It makes me think that in the same way Charlie was being pressured by money, that you might now be run by that same money, Owens says.
Criticism of pastors' handling
Owens also expresses broader concern about how pastors and others within the conservative movement have handled the situation after Kirk's death.
— I feel like a lot this year I have been feeling as though these pastors are just not as honest as they should be. A lot of pastors are not really so concerned with the truth is what I would say, she notes.
She concludes her analysis with an appeal:
— You should not grieve by lying or by gaslighting. Is that fair? Can we all agree? You should not grieve by lying and gaslighting the public.
Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot to death on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been arrested and charged with the murder.
Journalist Kim Iversen has previously pointed out that the murder may have connections to the Israeli government.
