'Fox & Friends' rebukes Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens over Charlie Kirk conspiracy claims

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: 'Fox & Friends' issued a sharply worded on-air rebuke on Thursday, December 11, taking aim at conspiracy theories after Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson allegedly promoted conspiracy theories surrounding the death of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. 

The criticism marked one of the clearest public ruptures yet between Fox News and two of the most influential figures in the broader conservative media universe.

The segment aired immediately after Fox replayed Erika Kirk’s emotional interview with Harris Faulkner, where she denounced influencers who were “profiting off lies,” suggesting TPUSA staff or foreign actors orchestrated her husband’s death.

Hosts reject baseless theories and profit-driven speculation

Brian Kilmeade opened the discussion by cataloguing the theories circulating widely across conservative podcasts and social platforms.

These included claims of a second shooter, altered timelines, and videos alleging a “military figure” was spotted on a rooftop. “People are making money. They have unsubstantiated theories and are running with it,” Kilmeade said.

Ainsley Earhardt rejected allegations that the killing was carried out from inside Turning Point USA. “The FBI never said this was an inside job. The FBI never said someone from Turning Point killed Charlie Kirk,” she emphasized.

Kilmeade added, “Or Israel killed him,” referencing one of the most prominent theories. During that memorial speech, Carlson invoked imagery of “powerful groups” conspiring to silence "the guy telling the truth." Carlson has not clarified those comments.

Earhardt restated publicly known details of the investigation, including that the suspect had previously complained about Kirk’s rhetoric and allegedly confessed to his roommate.

The hosts framed their discussion as a correction to what they described as reckless, destabilizing misinformation spreading among conservative influencers with massive online audiences.

Despite the sharp commentary, neither Carlson nor Owens was mentioned by name.

Lawrence Jones says to stand up for Erika Kirk

In an emotional close to the segment, Lawrence Jones delivered a pointed message to those fuelling speculation. “They already assassinated the man. Why would you want the grave to be destroyed?” he asked. 

Jones urged commentators who claimed to be close to Kirk to stop amplifying online rumors and instead support Erika Kirk.

“When something happens to someone you love, you protect the widow and the kids. You don’t pour gasoline on the attacks being directed at them,” he said, calling on those who attended the funeral to “stand up for her, if Charlie was your friend.”

The Utah murder case remains open, with the accused shooter Tyler Robinson, scheduled for a court appearance on Thursday and prosecutors expected to release new filings in the weeks ahead.

Turning Point USA has urged supporters to avoid speculation and said further guidance will follow once more investigative materials become public.