Things are getting nasty between conservative pundit Candace Owens and her former employer, The Daily Wire, as it was revealed today that the company sought to get a gag order against her after she demanded a debate with its Editor Emeritus Ben Shapiro. It always sucks when you see two people who essentially have the same values and principles begin to be torn apart like this. With the kind of threat the left is posing to our country, we can’t really afford to be divided. Unity is essential for victory.
According to a report from the Daily Caller:
The conservative outlet allegedly attempted to privately receive a gag order as Shapiro and Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing simultaneously argued over when to hold a debate against Owens, according to award-winning journalist Glenn Greenwald’s Locals newsletter. The outlet has not announced the gag order publicly.
The Daily Wire accused Owens of violating the non-disparagement clause of her company contract by calling for the debate, and Owens accused Shapiro of violating the confidentiality agreement by criticizing her views publicly, according to Greenwald’s newsletter. The company said the gag order was sought due to the manner in which Owens demanded the debate. They further cited several online criticisms of Boreing and Shapiro that Owens liked on Twitter.
The arbitrator granted the gag order to take effect, barring Owens from further calling for a debate or suggesting a debate would reveal the company’s “priorities,” according to the newsletter. She is further barred from uttering any statements that could disparage the Daily Wire or Shapiro.
Boreing made the claim that Greenwald’s report is inaccurate, so much so that he says it borders on false. Greenwald, however, says that Boreing didn’t identify a specific inaccuracy.
“I’m sure you can appreciate how fraught a high-profile break-up like this is. For that reason, we are trying to resolve our issues with Candace privately,” Boreing said to Greenwald.
Owens told Greenwald she could “neither confirm nor deny” whether a gag order had been issued, saying she is not allowed to publicly remark on the matter.
Owens has invited Shapiro to do a debate against her on the issue of Israel and the modern definition of antisemitism in a post on X from early April, not long after she and the Daily Wire parted ways. Both Shapiro and Boreing expressed some interest in hosting a debate, and the editor emeritus also extended an offer to debate Owens on his program.
“Owen’s initial tweet calling for the debate included a video of comedian Andrew Schultz, who mocked the Daily Wire for firing Owens over her views on Israel and claimed Shapiro is ‘only good at debating college liberals,'” the report said.
Sure, Candace. I texted you on February 29th offering this very thing.
Let's do it on my show this Monday at 5pm at our studios in Nashville; 90 minutes, live-streamed. https://t.co/f4cRSJqz8L
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) April 5, 2024
The initial offer was rejected by Owens, which lead to her and Boreing entering negotiations about when the event might be held. However, Shapiro said that he wanted the debate on his program at 5 pm.
Candace, I can see why you'd want to hide behind a moderator — particularly one who said we should rename our company the "Daily Jewish Wire" just yesterday.
No.
One on one. Monday at 5 PM.
We can sit down and have a healthy debate like adults, and we'll live-stream it on X… https://t.co/l2UFEB7a0f
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) April 5, 2024
It’s definitely a little sus as the kids say today, that Owens suddenly doesn’t want to do the debate when Shapiro invites her on his show where they could really have a substantial and possibly heated conversation on a critical cultural topic. Is she really afraid of Shapiro’s prowess with debates?
A debate between Shapiro and Owens could be a violation of the gag order by conflicting with the non-disparagement agreement between both parties, the newsletter reported. The conflict between Owens and the Daily Wire emerged as she clashed with Shapiro on his staunchly pro-Israel stance. Shapiro called Owens’ “behavior” during the conflict “disgraceful” at a November 2023 event.
“The question is about Candace Owens. Her behavior during this has been disgraceful, without a doubt,” Shapiro went on to say during a live event. “And she still works at my company, and I think she’s been absolutely disgraceful.”
In a post on X dated for last November, Owens said that she couldn’t serve “both God and money” along with a quote of Matthew 5:9-11. Shapiro then replied back to her by saying if that she felt like receiving money from the company “somehow comes between her and God” she could always say adios and go her own way, in the words of Fleetwood Mac.
Owens went on to accuse Big Benny S. of acting “unprofessional and emotionally unhinged,” saying he was “utterly out of line” for saying she isn’t allowed to quote Scripture.
Personally, I think both of these individuals are acting ridiculous. Candace Owens comes off like a bitter ex-girlfriend who is so unhinged she should spend a week or two in a mental hospital. Shapiro is extremely sensitive to any sort of criticism of Israel and how they are handling the situation with Hamas and Gaza, to the point he’s abandoning values he once ardently preached, like free speech.
Guys, you’re both being stupid. Do we need to stuff you both in an oversized t-shirt and make you hug out? Balls in your court.