Owens releases Kirk donor-pressure messages amid probe

Conservative commentator Candace Owens on Tuesday released screenshots she said were from a group chat involving Charlie Kirk that show the slain Turning Point USA founder complaining about donor pressure and writing that he planned to "leave the proIsrael cause," renewing debate over motives in Kirk's September killing. The messages, Owens said, were sent days before Kirk was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10.

The screenshots, widely circulated online, include lines attributed to Kirk saying, "Just lost another huge Jewish donor. 2 million a year because we wont cancel Tucker," "Jewish donors play into all the stereotypes. I cannot and will not be bullied like this," and "Leaving me no choice but to leave the proIsrael cause." Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet told listeners on The Charlie Kirk Show that the messages are authentic and that he had provided a screenshot of the private exchange to government officials after Kirk's death. Kolvet said he had refrained from publishing the messages earlier out of respect for privacy.

Owens suggested the messages illuminated pressures Kirk faced over donor demands and said they were relevant to...