Candace Owens, a well-known far-right commentator and vocal critic of the #MeToo movement, has set her sights on a highly controversial project: advocating for the exoneration of disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. In a recent livestream on February 27, Owens disclosed that she has been in contact with Weinstein since early 2022, conducting recorded interviews to shed light on his case ahead of his retrial in New York on April 15. According to Owens, while Weinstein is “an immoral man,” she believes he is also a victim of a flawed justice system.
Owens Challenges #MeToo and the Legal System
Owens has long positioned herself as a critic of the #MeToo movement, often arguing that it has been weaponized to destroy men’s careers without due process. In her latest endeavor, she questions whether the legal system has been politicized, citing the New York State Court of Appeals’ 2024 decision to overturn Weinstein’s 2020 conviction due to improper judicial rulings. The court found that testimony from women whose allegations were not part of the case had unfairly influenced the jury.
A Longstanding Connection: Owens and Weinstein’s Conversations
Owens revealed that her conversations with Weinstein began in early 2022, shortly after his conviction in Los Angeles for rape and other sexual misconduct. She has since been recording interviews with him, aiming to bring forward information that she believes the mainstream media has ignored.
Weinstein, once a powerful figure in Hollywood, has been at the center of one of the most significant scandals in recent history. The accusations against him served as a catalyst for the #MeToo movement, leading to his convictions and imprisonment. However, Owens contends that the media has failed to present a balanced perspective, choosing to highlight only the negative aspects of his case while ignoring potential exculpatory evidence.
The Controversy Surrounding Owens’ Advocacy
Owens’ involvement in Weinstein’s case has sparked significant backlash, especially given her history of inflammatory remarks and associations with controversial figures. Last year, she parted ways with The Daily Wire, the conservative media company co-founded by Ben Shapiro, following accusations of antisemitism.
During her livestream, Owens mentioned that Weinstein himself questioned her past support for Kanye West, who has been widely criticized for making antisemitic statements. Owens recounted that Weinstein reminded her of his financial support for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), to which she sarcastically remarked that she felt as though she was “trying out for the cheerleading team.”
Weinstein’s Team Responds to Media Scrutiny
Juda Engelmayer, Weinstein’s spokesperson, issued a statement addressing the upcoming series titled Harvey Speaks, which Owens is set to release later this week. Engelmayer criticized mainstream media for allegedly ignoring evidence that could paint a different picture of Weinstein’s legal battle.
“Since 2017, nearly every mainstream and alternative media outlet has seized opportunities to amplify grievances against Mr. Weinstein. Whenever potentially exculpatory information arose, it was often ignored,” Engelmayer stated. He added that Owens’ intent is to present new perspectives and contribute to the broader conversation surrounding Weinstein’s case.
Harvey Speaks: Owens’ New Documentary Series
Owens’ documentary series Harvey Speaks aims to challenge the narratives set forth by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Ronan Farrow, Jodi Kantor, and Megan Twohey, who were instrumental in exposing Weinstein’s misconduct. The series will also explore allegations that powerful businessmen used the #MeToo movement to dismantle Weinstein’s empire for their own gain.
Despite her claims that the series will reveal groundbreaking information, legal experts and advocates for Weinstein’s accusers remain skeptical. Attorney Gloria Allred, who represents some of Weinstein’s more than 80 accusers, dismissed Owens’ efforts as inconsequential to the legal proceedings. “What really matters at this point is the evidence that will be admitted in his next criminal trial,” Allred stated, emphasizing that Weinstein has consistently refused to testify under oath in his defense.
Public Reactions and Legal Perspectives
Dave Ring, a lawyer representing a Weinstein accuser from the Los Angeles trial, echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that this initiative is nothing more than a public relations strategy. “This [collaboration] is yet another ploy by Mr. Weinstein’s public relations machine to try and change public opinion about him and his sordid past,” Ring stated.
Meanwhile, Louise Godbold, an advocate for trauma survivors and an alleged victim of Weinstein, warned against giving Owens’ project undue attention. “I would ask people to please ignore it. This is an age-old tactic, and in this age of disinformation, we’ve got to be smarter and not get duped into clanging our bells on demand.”
