Did Erika Kirk, TPUSA pay influencers to call Candace Owens 'demon'?

• Viral claims that TPUSA and Erika Kirk paid influencers to call Candace Owens a ‘demon’ are debunked.
• Investigation: The leaked memo and spreadsheet were fabricated; no evidence of payments or coordination.
• Social media: Influencers like Ben Shapiro and Catturd used harsh terms, but reactions were organic, not paid.

As the rift within conservative media reaches a fever pitch, a viral claim that Erika Kirk and Turning Point USA (TPUSA) paid influencers to call Candace Owens a "demon" has been debunked by independent fact-checkers and digital analysts.

The allegations surfaced in late February 2026, following the release of Owens' investigative trailer, "Bride of Charlie," which scrutinizes Erika Kirk’s role in the organization following the assassination of her husband, TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, in September 2025.

The Origins of the "Demon" Memo

The firestorm began when social media profiles on X (formerly Twitter) shared what appeared to be a leaked internal TPUSA email. The document supposedly instructed a list of right-wing influencers to coordinate an attack on Owens, specifically scripting the use of terms like "evil," "demonic," and "demon from the bowels of hell."

Simultaneously, a spreadsheet circulated online purportedly listing "paid" commentators, including Ben Shapiro, Dan Bongino, and the popular account Catturd, claiming they were receiving financial incentives to disparage Owens.

Fact-Check: Real Insults, Fake Memo

Investigations into the "leak" have concluded that while the harsh language used by influencers was real, the memo itself was a fabrication.

• Fabricated Evidence: AI-driven analysis by tools like Grok and independent media monitors confirmed the email was "engineered disinformation." TPUSA has issued no such memo, and the formatting of the leaked image did not match the organization’s internal communication standards.
• Organic Backlash: Analysts note that while influencers like Ben Shapiro and Catturd did use terms like "evil" and "demonic" on February 24 and 25, these appeared to be organic reactions to Owens' documentary. Many in the MAGA movement viewed her investigation into a grieving widow as "conspiracy-driven" and a "betrayal."
• TPUSA Response: Sources close to TPUSA leadership characterized the viral "paid list" as "troll bait" designed to capitalize on the existing friction between Owens and the organization.

A Movement Fractured

The feud has escalated significantly since the turn of the year. Owens has accused TPUSA of conducting "witch trials" to test employee loyalty to Erika Kirk and has raised questions regarding the organization’s financial transparency.

Conversely, Erika Kirk’s supporters, including Megyn Kelly, have defended the widow, noting that Owens’ theories regarding Charlie Kirk’s death lack concrete proof.

The Treasury Department also reportedly issued a letter to Erika Kirk in late 2025 confirming that TPUSA was not under investigation for fraud, contradicting rumors Owens had amplified.

While the rhetoric between the two camps is undeniably vitriolic, there is no evidence of a coordinated, paid financial scheme by Erika Kirk to label Owens a "demon." The "leaked" documents are widely considered to be digital forgeries.