US journalist Candace Owens describes verbal attacks over Russia trip, thanks Russians for warm welcome

Lead

US journalist and political commentator Candace Owens, who is in Russia to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), said she faced verbal attacks and accusations of involvement in a "Russian conspiracy" because of her trip, according to an interview published by the Russian state news agency TASS. In the same interview, she said she had received no pressure from the Trump administration, and separately expressed gratitude for the warm welcome she received.

Coverage Comparison

All three articles on this story were published by TASS, the Russian state news agency, which is also the forum's official media partner. The coverage focuses on Owens' statements and activities during her visit. The first article, published June 2, centers on her remarks about facing abuse and conspiracy accusations. The second, from June 6, highlights her gratitude to Russians and her stated ambition to act as a "bridge" between Eastern and Western Christians. The third, from June 4, relays her sarcastic reaction to Western media colleagues' questions about how she manages to pay for expenses in Russia without American credit cards.

Each article presents a different aspect of her visit, with tones ranging from defensive and confident to friendly and humorous. All repeat that Owens has over six million subscribers on her YouTube channel.

Key Claims

• Owens said she faced verbal attacks and accusations of involvement in a "Russian conspiracy" due to her trip, according to TASS. She described the accusations as lies and said the intent was to "criminalize people going to see Russia." This claim is carried by a single source — TASS — and has not been independently verified.
• Owens stated she had "no pressure" from the Trump administration, a claim also reported only by TASS.
• Owens expressed gratitude to Russians for their warm welcome on social media, per TASS. She said it would be a special honor to become a "bridge" uniting Christians in the East with Christians in the West.
• Owens plans to participate in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, including as a guest at the plenary session. This is reported by multiple TASS articles.
• Owens was surprised by Western media colleagues' questions about her ability to pay for purchases in Russia, and joked about American delegations using cards, per TASS. She cited a Daily Mail reporter asking how she could eat in Russia if American credit cards are not accepted.

Perspectives

TASS's coverage frames Owens as a prominent conservative figure facing baseless attacks for traveling to Russia. The articles emphasize her defiance and her positive reception in Russia. No other outlets' coverage was included in the provided material, so independent verification of Owens' claims is not available.

Owens, a prominent figure in conservative circles and host of a popular podcast, arrived in Russia several days before the forum. She has previously made controversial claims, including asserting that Brigitte Macron was born a man, a claim the French president and his wife planned to challenge in court. Her visit to Russia comes amid ongoing tensions between Moscow and Western governments, and her remarks reflect a broader debate about travel to Russia and perceptions of such visits.

At the time of writing, no additional reporting from other news organizations on these specific statements was available in the provided material.