Who Is Josh Hammer And What Did Candace Owens Say About Him In Regards To Charlie Kirk Texts?

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination on September 10, 2025, right-wing commentator Candace Owens has released what she claims are group chat messages from just 48 hours before the murder. According to Owens, the texts point to tensions between Kirk and pro-Israel donors. Among those mentioned in the group chat: conservative political commentator and attorney Josh Hammer.Candace Owens Names Josh Hammer in Group Chat LeakIn a video posted to her YouTube channel (@realcandaceo) on October 7, 2025, Owens shared screenshots of a group chat involving Kirk and nine Turning Point USA (TPUSA) affiliates. The screenshots allegedly show Kirk expressing frustration over losing a major donor because of his refusal to cut ties with commentator Tucker Carlson.One text, attributed to Kirk, read, “Just lost another huge Jewish donor. $2 million a year because we won’t cancel Tucker.”He went on to say, “Jewish donors play into all the stereotypes. I cannot and will not be bullied like this. Leaving me no choice but to leave the pro-Israel cause.”Owens initially withheld the names of the group chat participants but later revealed that Josh Hammer was one of them. According to Owens, Hammer replied to Kirk’s message, warning against inviting her (Owens) to replace Carlson, saying, “This might feel good short term, but it’s not good long term in my opinion.” Related News | Charlie Kirk Faced Pressure From Bill Ackman And Seth Dillon To Visit Israel, Claims Candace OwensWho Is Josh Hammer?Joshua Benjamin Hammer is an American conservative political commentator, attorney, columnist, and podcast host. He is known for his strong pro-Israel stance and vocal engagement on Jewish and Zionist issues.Hammer is the author of ‘Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West,’ and serves as the senior editor-at-large for Newsweek. He also hosts The Josh Hammer Show, a podcast and syndicated radio show. Previously, he was involved in Senator Ted Cruz’s 2016 presidential campaign.Hammer has debated prominent figures like Peter Beinart and Alan Dershowitz on topics related to Israel, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and Israeli judicial reform, cementing his place as a leading voice in conservative Zionist commentary.What Does This Mean for the Kirk Investigation?The texts released by Owens, which Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet confirmed as authentic, have fueled speculation about internal pressure Kirk may have faced over his evolving stance on Israel. Kolvet later said Kirk’s views were “complicated and nuanced,” and that he had shared frustrations about the issue both privately and publicly.As the political fallout from Kirk’s assassination continues, the inclusion of Hammer, a staunch pro-Israel voice, in this controversial exchange has added a new layer to the growing debate over donor influence, Israel, and conservative media discourse.