Conservative commentator and author Candace Owens, known best for trolling liberals on Twitter, announced via that very medium her political ambitions. In a tweet dated Feb 6, 2021, Owens let it be known: “I love America. Thinking about running for president.”
This announcement comes after Owens accused Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes (AOC) of faking her sexual assault and lying about her brush with death during the Capitol riots. Owens launched the hashtag #AlexandriaOcasioSmollet – making reference to the Jussie Smollet case, a MAGA favorite. Owens’ faux pas, however, was that the photos shared to “prove” AOC wasn’t in harm’s way at the Capitol were of AOC at the border some time ago.
Could this be an effort to steer the narrative in what Owens believes is a more positive direction? It could be. However, as most presidential candidates now know, you need Black voters in order to win moving forward. The author of Blackout, doesn’t have the support of Black people behind her. Her launch of “Blexit,” a 2018 movement to encourage African Americans to leave the Democratic Party, proved that to be true.
Black voters would not be Owens’ only challenge. She would have to contend with the racism and misogyny she has yet to experience within her own party. To date, the GOP has only elected one Black woman, former Congresswoman Mia Love of Utah, to a legislative office.
Still, Owens thinks she’s the leader Black people need, telling Chicago’s Morning Answer in 2017, “The Black community needs new leaders, in general, so I’m always happy to weigh in about other issues just as Candace the person. But I’m also happy to be a new voice in the Black community.”
The Black Twitter has basically told Candace Owens what she can do with her leadership and presidential aspirations. Lucky for her, she has three years to think it through.
