Conservative commentator Candace Owens has been temporarily suspended from YouTube following an interview she conducted with rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye.
According to a report from The New York Post, Owens claims that "Zionists" are responsible for flagging the content and causing her channel's suspension.
The suspension, which will last for a week, came after YouTube determined that the interview violated its hate speech policies. Owens took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to announce the suspension and express her frustration with the decision, stating that her channel had been demonetized and that she would be unable to produce content for the duration of the suspension.
YouTube confirmed the suspension of Owens' channel, citing repeated violations of its policies, including Advertiser-Friendly Guidelines and Community Guidelines. The company's spokesperson, Jack Malon, provided a statement explaining the action taken against Owens' channel.
The video in question, titled "Kanye West (Ye) x Candace Owens | Candace Ep 42," was removed from Owens' YouTube channel for violating hate speech policies. YouTube specifically noted that the content contained claims about Jewish people controlling the media, which falls under their prohibition of conspiratorial claims targeting protected groups.
Owens shared a screenshot of the communication she received from YouTube, which detailed the reasons for the video's removal and the subsequent channel suspension. The platform's message emphasized that content containing claims about individuals or groups being evil, corrupt, or malicious based on their protected group status is not allowed.
In response to the suspension, Owens took to X to voice her concerns and accusations. She claimed that the interview with Ye, which took place on August 7, showed the rapper as "calm and filled with love — speaking about the world coming together to defeat evil."
Owens suggested that the timing of her channel's suspension was connected to a recent debate she had with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach on Piers Morgan's television show. She expressed her belief that she is being targeted, stating, "The world knows why I am being targeted, and frankly, I have never felt more confident that I am the right person for this to happen."
The commentator also noted that prior to this incident, she had not received any strikes on her YouTube creator account. However, she reported receiving three content hits in quick succession, along with the notification of full demonetization.
This is not the first time Owens has been involved in controversies related to antisemitism. The Anti-Defamation League has previously condemned her as a political commentator who has embraced and promoted antisemitic tropes. Earlier this year, Owens left her position at Daily Wire following a public disagreement with co-founder Ben Shapiro over issues related to Israel and antisemitism.
Ye, the other party involved in the controversial interview, has also faced consequences for making antisemitic remarks. Several of his social media accounts have been suspended due to comments he made, including repeating tropes about Jewish control of the entertainment industry and blaming a Jewish doctor for inadequate medical treatment.
YouTube's actions against Owens' channel include not only the week-long suspension but also her removal from the YouTube Partner Program, which allows content creators to monetize their videos. The platform stated that creators are permitted to reapply for access after a 90-day period.
The suspension of Candace Owens' YouTube channel highlights the ongoing debate surrounding content moderation and free speech on social media platforms. YouTube's decision to remove the interview with Ye and suspend Owens' account was based on violations of hate speech policies. Owens has attributed the suspension to "Zionist" intervention, while YouTube maintains that the action was taken due to repeated policy violations. The incident underscores the challenges faced by platforms in balancing free expression with the prevention of harmful content.
