Debate Ignites Over Free Speech and 'Hate Speech Laws' in the US

Political commentator Candace Owens recently voiced strong concerns regarding the push for new 'hate speech laws' in the United States. In a recent video, Owens suggested that certain political figures are attempting to leverage a hypothetical scenario involving the 'assassination' of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk to advance legislation that would restrict free speech. Owens specifically cited a segment from Katie Miller's podcast, where former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi discussed the need for law enforcement to 'target' groups engaged in hate speech. Bondi stated, 'There's free speech and then there's hate speech. And there is no place, especially now, especially after what happened to Charlie, in our society.' She added, 'We will absolutely target you, go after you if you are targeting anyone with hate speech.' Owens interpreted these remarks as a direct threat to free expression. Furthermore, Owens referenced a 2020 tweet from Benjamin Netanyahu, which stated, 'Whoever boycotts us, will themselves get boycotted... and there are now laws in most states there - that anyone who boycotts Israel will themselves be punished.' Owens connected this to a broader pattern of governments seeking increased power in times of crisis, drawing parallels to the Patriot Act enacted after 9/11. She concluded by urging viewers to resist what she perceives as an overreach of governmental authority to control speech.

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Did Candace Owens Attend Charlie Kirk’s Funeral? What She Said About the Event

Candace Owens has been a longtime friend of Charlie Kirk and started working with him in 2017. But did she attend his memorial on Sept. 21, 2025?