Piers Morgan Condemns Candace Owens and Bassem Youssef Over Controversial Remarks About Erika Kirk
The online controversy surrounding Charlie Kirk escalated dramatically after Piers Morgan publicly denounced comments made during Candace Owens' podcast. Morgan strongly objected to what he described as inappropriate joking about Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, calling such humor completely unacceptable.
Origins of the Controversy
The backlash began after Bassem Youssef appeared as a guest on Candace Owens' show on January 29. During their conversation, they discussed a leaked Zoom call that involved Erika Kirk and staff members from Turning Point USA. Owens specifically questioned Erika Kirk's behavior during that call, focusing intently on her facial expressions and vocal tone throughout the interaction.
Soon after the podcast aired, a brief clip from the episode went viral across social media platforms. In that particular segment, Youssef made a remark that numerous viewers felt had crossed an ethical boundary. Piers Morgan responded with particular intensity, asserting that humor should never target a woman who is already facing significant public pressure and scrutiny.
Morgan's Strong Response and Ongoing Debate
After the clip gained traction on X (formerly Twitter), Piers Morgan addressed Youssef directly through his social media channels. He wrote emphatically, "Why do you find it so funny to mock a young widow who has been dragged into public attacks? It is disgusting." Morgan has consistently maintained that claims regarding Charlie Kirk lack substantiated evidence from verified sources.
Youssef quickly fired back at Morgan through online platforms, questioning the credibility of official explanations and accusing public figures of feigning concern while ignoring what he characterized as unresolved questions. In his response, Youssef criticized how public figures judge expressions of grief and suggested widespread distrust in investigative processes, though he presented no new evidence to support his assertions.
Earlier Podcast Discussion and Context
Earlier in the podcast episode, Youssef had mocked how Erika Kirk's grief was being discussed across digital platforms, making comments that many listeners perceived as cruel rather than humorous. Candace Owens did not directly challenge Youssef during that specific moment, instead allowing the conversation to transition to other topics including Israel and media influence.
This incident represents the latest chapter in an ongoing dialogue between Morgan and Owens. Piers Morgan has previously challenged Candace Owens regarding similar claims during episodes of Piers Morgan Uncensored. While he has acknowledged her debating abilities, Morgan has expressed his belief that she promotes unverified theories primarily for attention and financial gain.
Historical Context and Unresolved Challenges
In January, Morgan also hosted Jeremy Boreing, who criticized Owens for targeting former allies and pursuing online engagement through controversial content. This follows an earlier interaction in December when Morgan invited Owens back to his program and presented a clear proposition: if her claims could be substantiated with verified evidence, he would publicly commend her work; if not, she should openly acknowledge her error.
That specific challenge remains active today, as no verified evidence has emerged to support the claims discussed during Owens' podcast episodes. The controversy continues to generate significant discussion across media platforms, highlighting ongoing tensions between different perspectives on appropriate public discourse and ethical boundaries in digital media.
