Commentator Candace Owens has been designated 2024's "Antisemite of the Year" by watchdog organization StopAntisemitism, following a poll that garnered over 30,000 votes. The announcement marks a significant shift in Owens' public trajectory, from conservative media personality to a figure increasingly isolated from former allies.
Candace Owens in her full antisemitic glory πππ pic.twitter.com/HFshWTYqe9
β StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) December 15, 2024
StopAntisemitism highlighted a troubling pattern of remarks and positions attributed to Owens. In July 2024, she dismissed verified medical experiments performed on Jewish victims during the Holocaust, referring to them as "too absurd" and suggesting they "must be propaganda." This followed her March 2024 statements alleging the existence of "secret Jewish gangs" in Hollywood and claiming they wield control over the entertainment industry. Israeli historians and Holocaust research organizations have strongly condemned these comments. The backlash has not been confined to academic circles; Owens has also faced travel restrictions in several countries, including New Zealand and Australia.
The designation follows Owens' departure from The Daily Wire, where she had been a prominent voice in conservative media. Her exit came amid mounting controversy over statements about the Jewish community, particularly following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Former associates, including Jewish conservatives Ben Shapiro and Dennis Prager, who had previously provided platforms for Owens' commentary, have publicly distanced themselves from her positions. In response to the developments, Owens has attributed the backlash to what she terms a "Zionist media empire."
Owens emerged ahead of climate activist Greta Thunberg and Twitch streamer Hasan Piker for the designation, which in 2023 was "awarded" to Representative Rashida Tlaib. Other past recipients of StopAntisemitism's annual designation include Kanye West, Anuradha Mittal, and Representative Ilhan Omar.
