Candace Owens Defends Caitlin Clark After Megyn Kelly’s Controversial Claims Ignite Debate

June 7, 2025 — A fierce clash ignited this week when conservative commentators Megyn Kelly criticized WNBA rookie of the year Caitlin Clark, calling her comments on white privilege “fake” and “condescending.” In response, prominent conservative voice Candace Owens stepped forward to defend Clark, accusing Kelly of using race to score social points and sparking a wider conversation on sports, politics, and representation.

🧩 The Initial Spark: Kelly’s Criticism

The drama traces back to Clark’s candid remarks in a Time magazine interview, where she acknowledged the legacy of Black women in building the WNBA and reflected on her own privilege as a white player. Clark emphasized:

“I’ve earned everything, but as a white person, there is privilege,”
“We need to uplift Black women who made this league incredible.” (sports.yahoo.com, fox59.com, independent.co.uk)

Megyn Kelly quickly took aim on X (formerly Twitter), calling Clark’s comments “condescending,” “fake,” and likened them to “self-flagellation” (theroot.com, independent.co.uk, nypost.com, swishappeal.com).

🤝 Candace Owens Steps In

In a surprising turn, Candace Owens defended Clark, stating Kelly was weaponizing race to demean Clark’s genuine reflection. Owens argued:

“Megyn’s tactic here is using race as a weapon. Caitlin’s remarks were honest and thoughtful—not virtue-signaling.”

She praised Clark’s humility and advocacy for racial equity, remarking that Clark’s rise should be applauded—not vilified.

🎤 Clark’s Graceful Response

Meanwhile, Clark stood her ground with poise. At a Time dinner event, she reaffirmed her statements on privilege and stressed:

“I’ve earned everything I’ve achieved, but grew up a fan of this league… Continuing to uplift Black women is very important.” (sports.yahoo.com, keloland.com, independent.co.uk, people.com, swishappeal.com)

She also noted that she filters public discourse by focusing on the opinions of teammates, coaches, and her inner circle (okmagazine.com, keloland.com, people.com).

📺 Why This Debate Matters

    Race and Representation: The discussion spotlights the complicated dynamics of race, visibility, and equality in sports.
    Public Figures Under Scrutiny: It shows how public figures—like Kelly and Owens—can shape narratives around young athletes.
    League Reputation & Growth: Clark’s measured handling of the situation reflects both her maturity and the maturity of the WNBA as culture evolves.

🔍 Final Take

In a rare move crossing ideological lines, Candace Owens defended Caitlin Clark’s statements, casting Kelly’s criticism as opportunistic. Meanwhile, Clark’s authentic response highlights her respect for the WNBA’s legacy and underscores how athletes can lead conversations that matter—both on and off the court.

people.com
glamour.com
swishappeal.com