Candace Owens has publicly supported Nick Fuentes after a video showing him using pepper spray on a woman at his front door went viral. The footage captures Fuentes opening his door, spraying the woman who was recording him, and then pushing her, causing her to fall.
Incident Details
According to the New York Post, the incident occurred in November 2024. The woman in the video has been identified as Marla Rose. Fuentes was subsequently arrested and charged with battery. However, Rose has since dropped the criminal charges and instead filed a civil lawsuit.
The video resurfaced after Fuentes shared it on his podcast, sparking widespread debate online. While many criticized his actions, others defended him, with Candace Owens being one of the most prominent supporters.
Online Reactions
The controversy intensified when internet personality Mario Nawfal posted the clip on X on April 29. Nawfal noted that Fuentes' reaction might seem extreme but mentioned that someone had once shown up at his own door with a crossbow. Owens responded unequivocally, stating: “Not a strong reaction at all. In many parts of the South, if you try something like this, you risk being shot. In my house, we have kids and were intentional about choosing a state with ‘stand your ground’ laws.” Her comment further fueled the heated online discussion.
Fuentes' Account
On his America First podcast episode released on April 29, Fuentes detailed the events leading up to the incident. He claimed that after posting a controversial message online, people came to his house. He explained: “She comes in my house, pulls out her phone. She starts filming my house, doing a monologue saying I’m a Nazi and an incel, and I’m violent against all women, and so on. Comes up to the front porch, and let’s just say she briefly lost control of her body for just a moment.” Fuentes admitted the moment was regrettable but sought to move on, saying: “The incident was regrettable. It’s over now.”
Italy Trip Controversy
Simultaneously, another online discussion emerged involving Owens and Fuentes. Journalist Laura Loomer questioned both after they traveled to Italy during the same week. In an April 24 post on X, Loomer wrote: “What are the odds that they would both be in Italy at the same time?… Those two like to pretend like they hate each other, but now they are both in Italy at the same time.” She also linked their travel timing to news about the Department of Justice and the Southern Poverty Law Center, though no direct connection was confirmed.
Owens addressed the speculation on her podcast, stating she was on a religious trip to Rome, which she had previously announced in March. She emphatically said: “I did not see Nick Fuentes.” Fuentes also shared his perspective, saying he was mentally exhausted and decided to travel after advice from Keith Woods, who was already in Rome. He recounted his reaction to the rumors: “I’m looking at Keith when Laura Loomer reported that Candace was in Rome. I looked at Keith, and I’m like, they’re never going to believe me. I’m like, ‘They’re never going to believe this.’ I said, because it’s an insane coincidence. And you guys know me and Candace are estranged. We’re not talking.”
Both Owens and Fuentes have a history of public disagreements over political topics and controversial claims. Their coincidental trips to Italy at the same time only added to the speculation, even though both denied meeting.
