In a new episode of her documentary series Bride Of Charlie, conservative commentator Candace Owens has leveled serious questions about the personal history of Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot last year. Owens, a former communications director for the organization, suggested discrepancies in Erika's reported date of birth and family background, framing them as part of a broader pattern of alleged inconsistencies in Erika's accounts. The episode, released on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, has reignited tensions within conservative circles following Charlie Kirk's death on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Owens, 36, opened the installment by sharing her personal observations about Erika, 37, whom she described as a late friend. "I will tell you my personal opinion and experience with her," Owens said. "What alarms me about Erika isn’t so much the fact that she lies, which we will prove to you over and over again, but it’s also the fact that I don’t know that she’s aware that she’s lying." She posited that some of Erika's statements might stem from a "faulty memory," adding, "[It’s] like a faulty memory or something. I’m saying I’m not sure that she’s fully aware that she’s lying because some of the lies are so stupid."
The core of Owens' critique in this episode centers on Erika's childhood and family dynamics. Erika has long maintained that her biological parents are Kent and Lori Frantzve, and that she was born on November 20, 1988, in Cincinnati, Ohio. However, Owens highlighted what she described as inconsistencies in public records related to Kent and Lori's 1998 divorce filings. According to Owens, excerpts from the petition, filed by Lori, state that their daughter was born on November 22, 1988—a two-day difference from Erika's claimed birthdate. Owens noted that the document contains only "four statements of fact," limiting the personal details provided.
Further complicating matters, Owens pointed to conflicting dates in the same divorce documents regarding Kent and Lori's marriage. The petition allegedly lists November 20, 1995, as their wedding date, which Owens observed would coincide with Erika's seventh birthday. In contrast, a separation agreement attached to the filing reportedly gives the marriage date as November 7, 1982. Owens presented these as evidence of potential fabrication in Erika's family narrative, though she clarified that the documents are from a limited public record.
Owens also delved into a "conspiracy theory" about Erika's parentage, suggesting that Erika's aunt, Karla, might actually be her biological mother. This claim challenges Erika's public statements about being raised primarily by a single mother after her parents' 1998 divorce. Owens alleged that records and accounts indicate Kent Frantzve remained actively involved in Erika's life post-divorce, contradicting her narrative of a absent father figure. "I have spoken to classmates, past boyfriends, and people are generally bewildered about why Erika is now representing that she does not have a relationship with Kent," Owens stated. She added that Erika was reportedly raised in a home with her stepfather, Larry, further questioning the single-mother upbringing story.
These revelations come amid a backdrop of escalating public feud between Owens and Erika since Charlie Kirk's tragic death. A 22-year-old male was arrested the following day, September 11, 2025, in connection with the shooting, but has not yet entered a plea as of the latest reports. Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist, left behind Erika and their two young children—a son and daughter—whose names the couple chose to keep private.
Owens' criticisms have intensified over recent months. In January 2026, she leaked what she claimed was audio from a Turning Point USA conference call recorded less than two weeks after Kirk's death. In the recording, Erika reportedly described her husband's public memorial as "an event of a century" and noted that the organization had surpassed "over 200,000 for merch sales." Owens reacted by saying, "That’s moving pretty quickly to the acceptance phase now. We know everybody grieves differently. In my imagination, I just thought she would be more upset."
Erika, meanwhile, has continued to honor her late husband's legacy publicly. Just days before Owens' latest episode aired, President Donald Trump paid tribute to Charlie Kirk during his State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, highlighting Kirk's contributions to conservative youth activism. Erika marked her 37th birthday on February 20, 2026, with an emotional Instagram post dedicated to her husband.
I always loved celebrating you, and maybe because it was a reflection of how beautifully you always celebrated me. I romanticized growing old with you, the love of my life. I used to wonder what our faces would look like with wisdom-wrinkles. You’d always tell me how you hoped I’d keep my long hair even when we were both gray and also that I’d always wear white (because it was the color you loved me wearing the most).
We’d laugh about how you’d probably still be out on college campuses in your 80s, doing ‘Prove Me Wrong’ campus events because you loved those students. And then we’d both start to tear up when talking about our babies growing older and having a family of their own. A full life.
Today, I find myself, in some way, still romanticizing growing old with you, just in different locations. So as I blow out candles this year with an ache so deep I pray no one ever has to feel it, I’m reminded that each day, each moment, each birthday…you’re with me. Not in the way I once dreamed, but in the way God has mercifully allowed.
This post, shared via Instagram, underscores Erika's ongoing public grieving process, which contrasts sharply with Owens' portrayal of her behavior. Erika has not publicly responded to the specific allegations in Owens' documentary as of press time. Representatives for Erika and Turning Point USA did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Us Weekly, the outlet that first reported on the episode.
The rift between Owens and Erika traces back to Owens' departure from Turning Point USA in 2020, after which she built her own media empire through podcasts, books, and YouTube content. Kirk's death amplified scrutiny on the organization's leadership and Erika's role as his widow and a continuing figure in conservative activism. Related reports have noted other tensions, such as Erika's claim that she did not receive a "goodbye kiss" from Charlie on the morning of his death, and the cancellation of a speaking tour that was set to include reality TV star Savannah Chrisley alongside Kirk.
Owens' series Bride Of Charlie, available on YouTube, positions itself as an investigative look into Kirk's life and legacy, but it has drawn accusations of personal vendetta from some observers. Erika, née Frantzve, has been active in Turning Point USA since marrying Charlie in 2019, often appearing at events and supporting the group's mission to mobilize young conservatives. The organization, founded by Kirk in 2009, has grown into a major player in right-wing politics, hosting events like the annual Student Action Summit.
As the documentary unfolds, it raises questions about transparency in personal narratives among public figures, particularly in politically charged environments. Owens has promised further episodes will delve deeper into what she calls "proof" of Erika's alleged deceptions, potentially involving more interviews with unnamed sources from Erika's past. For now, the claims remain unverified by independent records, with the divorce documents cited by Owens not publicly available in full.
The broader implications of this dispute extend to Turning Point USA's future direction. With Charlie Kirk gone, Erika has stepped into a more visible role, including managing aspects of the organization's outreach and memorializing her husband's work. Owens, who once collaborated closely with Kirk, now appears to challenge that stewardship, possibly influencing donor perceptions and internal dynamics within the conservative movement.
Legal proceedings related to Kirk's shooting continue, with the suspect's arraignment pending. Meanwhile, Erika's family life with their two children remains private, shielded from the public spotlight that has intensified since the tragedy. As Owens' series gains traction online, it underscores the personal toll of public scrutiny on those left behind in the wake of loss. Whether Erika will address the allegations directly remains to be seen, but the episode has already sparked discussions across social media about truth, memory, and accountability in activist circles.
In the end, this chapter in the ongoing saga reflects the complex interplay of grief, ambition, and ideology that defined Charlie Kirk's circle. As both women navigate their paths forward—Owens through her critical lens and Erika through remembrance—the conservative community watches closely for what comes next.