Full Breakdown
Candace Owens Rejects Presidential Run, Backs Tucker Carlson at Russian Forum
6/8/2026, 8:17:17 AM
Owens Declines a White House Bid and Endorses Tucker Carlson
During a June 4, 2024 interview with former CNN anchor Rick Sanchez at Russia’s St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), conservative commentator Candace Owens dismissed speculation about a personal presidential campaign. She reiterated a long-standing position that she would never seek the presidency, adding a facetious remark that she would only run “for dictator.” Owens also identified former Fox News host Tucker Carlson as the individual she would support if a future Republican presidential field emerged.
Background: Owens’ Media Path and the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum
Owens built her public profile through roles at Turning Point USA, The Daily Wire, and a self-titled media program. Her appearance at SPIEF—a gathering once dubbed the “Russian Davos”—coincided with the forum’s post-2022 shift toward non-Western participants, a change noted by CNN. The event provided a platform for Owens to discuss family dynamics, emerging technologies, and U.S. foreign-policy criticism.
Key Figures
- Candace Owens – Conservative commentator and media entrepreneur.
- Tucker Carlson – Former Fox News anchor, now operating an independent media network.
- Rick Sanchez – Former CNN anchor who conducted the interview.
- Charlie Kirk – Late founder of Turning Point USA, referenced by Owens as a fallen standard-bearer.
- Megyn Kelly – Journalist cited alongside Carlson as a remaining MAGA movement leader.
Timeline of Relevant Statements
- June 4, 2024 – Owens’ interview at SPIEF, denial of presidential ambitions, endorsement of Carlson.
- March 2024 – Carlson told *The Economist* he would not run for president.
- September 2025 – Owens referenced the death of Charlie Kirk when discussing leadership of the MAGA movement.
Official Statements & Responses
Owens’ public record consistently emphasizes a refusal to pursue the presidency, a stance she reiterated at SPIEF. Carlson’s March interview with *The Economist* similarly confirmed he does not intend to seek the White House. Neither individual has filed formal paperwork or announced a campaign for the 2028 election cycle.
Criticism & Opposition
In the same SPIEF appearance, Owens used her platform to criticize ongoing Western military financing and broader U.S. foreign-policy approaches. Her endorsement of Carlson, delivered on a Russian-state-affiliated broadcast, has drawn attention from observers who note the strategic optics of aligning with a potential candidate in a venue outside the United States.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
A clear discrepancy exists between Owens’ endorsement of Carlson and Carlson’s own denial of any presidential intentions. Additionally, no concrete timeline or policy platform for a prospective 2028 campaign has been disclosed by either party.
Why It Matters
Owens’ statements signal potential realignment within the MAGA movement, highlighting Carlson and Megyn Kelly as leading figures after the death of Charlie Kirk. The endorsement also underscores the growing interplay between U.S. conservative media personalities and international forums, raising questions about influence on future electoral dynamics.
Verbatim Quotes
> “I always tell my listeners I’d never run for president. I’d only run for dictator,” — Candace Owens, interview with Rick Sanchez, RT, June 4 2024
What’s Next
Analysts will monitor the 2028 presidential cycle for any formal announcements from Carlson, Owens, or other MAGA-aligned figures. Owens is expected to continue her media engagements, potentially shaping discourse around U.S. foreign policy and domestic political strategy.
