Controversial MAGA podcaster Candace Owens ignited a fierce online backlash Friday after urging American service members to quit the military, claiming that President Donald Trump had “betrayed” them in the escalating conflict involving Iran.
Owens made the remarks in response to a video clip circulating on social media featuring Benny Gantz, the former chief of staff of the Israeli Defense Forces and a one-time deputy prime minister of Israel. In the clip, Gantz was asked about the possibility of “boots on the ground” in Iran as the war in the region intensifies.
Gantz responded that he was not ruling anything out.
“I exclude nothing,” he said in the clip, echoing language that has also been used by Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth when discussing potential military options in the conflict.
The video was originally shared online by far-left activist Max Blumenthal, who framed the remarks as evidence that American troops could eventually be deployed in Iran.
“Former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz declares that he won’t rule out American boots on the ground in Iran,” Blumenthal wrote in the post. “Every US service member needs to see this to understand who’s calling the shots.”
Owens amplified the message by reposting the clip and adding her own commentary, which quickly drew widespread criticism.
“Do not join or remain in the United States Military,” Owens wrote in response to the clip. “Trump has betrayed America and expects you to die for Israel.”
She followed up with an even stronger claim.
“There is no honor in being led by dishonorable men to your death,” Owens wrote.
Owens, who hosts a widely viewed podcast and YouTube show, has built a reputation as a provocative voice in political commentary and has frequently generated headlines for her outspoken and controversial statements.
Her latest comments immediately triggered intense reactions online, particularly among conservatives and supporters of the president, many of whom sharply condemned the suggestion that American service members abandon their posts.
Owens has previously been considered a close ally of Trump and has been a prominent figure in conservative media circles. However, her public commentary has also drawn attention in the past for a number of controversial claims and conspiracy theories.
At one point, Owens staked her public reputation on the claim that France’s first lady was actually a man, a statement that drew widespread criticism.
Following the uproar surrounding her latest remarks, Owens doubled down when responding to a request for comment from Mediaite.
“Americans should stop dying so Israel can expand its borders while our country continues to decline,” Owens said in the response. “This isn’t complicated.”
The comments continued to circulate widely on social media throughout the day, with critics arguing that encouraging troops to abandon military service crosses a serious line.
While Owens’ remarks sparked heated debate online, they also prompted a wave of responses from figures on the political right who blasted the comments as irresponsible and damaging, particularly at a time when American forces remain engaged in an active conflict in the Middle East.
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