Candace Owens Amplifies TPUSA Internal Turmoil with Ex-Employee Video
Conservative podcaster and commentator Candace Owens has significantly amplified the internal turmoil at Turning Point USA (TPUSA) by publicly sharing a detailed 12-minute video from a former employee. The video features Aubrey Laitsch, who worked at the conservative organization for four years, claiming she was terminated for questioning TPUSA's new strategic direction under CEO Erika Kirk. Erika Kirk is the widow of the late TPUSA founder, Charlie Kirk, whose assassination in September 2025 continues to generate controversy within conservative circles.
Former Employee Details Allegations of Questioning Leadership
On Thursday, Candace Owens posted the video on her X account with the caption, "One of the fired employees from Turning Point USA speaks out about the organization's new direction!" In the clip, Aubrey Laitsch explains that she was let go nearly three weeks prior to the video's release. She describes an incident where an executive was reportedly informed by an Uber driver that someone inside TPUSA had criticized Erika Kirk and the organization's operations. Laitsch was later presumed to be that individual, a claim she firmly denies.
Laitsch stated that her relationship with Erika Kirk was neutral, noting they had known each other since 2013. While she did not allege this specific incident was explicitly cited as the reason for her termination, she expressed a strong feeling that her dismissal was directly linked to her skepticism about the official narrative surrounding Charlie Kirk's assassination at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
Owens' Persistent Questions About Charlie Kirk's Death
This development follows Candace Owens' repeated public questioning of the official account of Charlie Kirk's death. Authorities have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder in the case. However, Owens has suggested alternative scenarios, including the possibility of a wider plot or internal betrayal within TPUSA. Her skepticism has created sharp divisions within the conservative media landscape, with some supporting her inquiries and others defending the official investigation.
The controversy intensified in late January when comedian Bassem Youssef appeared on Owens' show. During that episode, they discussed leaked audio of Erika Kirk from a staff call, which went viral online and fueled further criticism of TPUSA's current leadership. The organization has not issued any public comment regarding Aubrey Laitsch's specific claims or the broader allegations circulating in conservative media.
Deepening Rifts in Conservative Media Sphere
As this feud continues to intensify, the conservative media sphere remains deeply divided over TPUSA's leadership under Erika Kirk and the competing narratives about the organization's future direction. The public airing of internal grievances by a former employee, amplified by a high-profile figure like Candace Owens, highlights significant tensions within one of America's most prominent conservative youth organizations. The situation underscores ongoing debates about transparency, leadership succession, and the handling of Charlie Kirk's legacy following his tragic death.
