Candace Owens Launches New Series with Controversial Claims About Erika Kirk
In a move that has sparked significant online debate, conservative commentator Candace Owens premiered the inaugural episode of her new series, Bride of Charlie, on Wednesday. The episode centers on challenging aspects of Erika Kirk's personal background, particularly her assertion of being raised solely by her mother.
Questioning the Single-Mother Narrative
Owens opened the show by referencing a viral social media post from journalist Elizabeth Lane that criticized Kirk. She then detailed that her investigation was fueled by conversations with Kirk's former classmates and ex-boyfriends. A central claim emerged: Owens asserted that Erika Kirk was not exclusively brought up by her mother, Lori Frantzve.
Owens contended that Kirk's father, Carl Kenneth Frantzve, played an active role in her early life. She highlighted a New York Times profile where Kirk mentioned that raising her children alone was "the least traumatizing thing" due to her own single-mother upbringing. Owens disputed this, stating, "Her father was always in her life." To support this, she played an archival clip of Kirk speaking with Charlie Kirk, in which Kirk recalled, "My dad was a stay-at-home dad for a few years... I was four." Owens argued this demonstrates paternal involvement during her childhood.
Allegations of Additional Parental Figures
Further complicating the narrative, Owens introduced the name Larry Guinta, whom she identified as Kirk's stepfather. She claimed that classmates verified Guinta and Frantzve were together since Kirk's elementary school years, presenting what she described as images from Kirk's high school yearbook as evidence. Owens also noted that Lori Frantzve "married four times," questioning the portrayal of her as a "strong, independent, entrepreneurial single mother."
"So why this little public misrepresentation?" Owens questioned, suggesting there are "a lot of little wrinkles" in Kirk's story and promising to explore more in upcoming episodes.
Backlash and Lack of Response
Since the release of the trailer and first episode, Owens has faced substantial backlash on digital platforms. As of now, neither Erika Kirk nor Turning Point USA (TPUSA), with which she is associated, has issued any public statement addressing these allegations. The controversy underscores ongoing tensions in media portrayals of personal histories.
