Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 19, 2025 · Entertainment

Clash of Titans: How Right-Wing Online Stars Are Redefining Media Power

Online Right-wing commentators and influencers are now eclipsing once-dominant network hosts such as Jimmy Kimmel

The Right-Wing Revolution: How Online Pundits Are Taking Down Mainstream Media

In a shocking turn of events, right-wing online commentators are making waves and taking center stage in the world of politics and media. With their unapologetic style and incendiary commentary, these YouTube sensations are raking in record views and challenging the traditional network stars for attention.

At the forefront of this revolution is Candace Owens, a 36-year-old powerhouse conservative influencer who has single-handedly challenged both French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on her talk show. With a whopping almost eight million views on YouTube in one day, Owens has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with.

Candace Owens, Megyn Kelly, and Tucker Carlson, all whom have transitioned from network news to independent online platforms, have amassed huge audiences since

But Owens isn't the only one making waves in the online space. Ben Shapiro, Megyn Kelly, Tim Pool, Tucker Carlson, and Ian Carroll are just a few of the many right-wing personalities who have seen their audiences skyrocket in recent months. And it's not just the numbers that are impressive – these pundits are also drawing attention for their fiery feuds with each other.

The Revenge of Charlie Kirk

The assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk last week was a turning point for many of these online personalities, with Owens and Shapiro seeing significant increases in views on YouTube. But it's not just the views that are up – the tension between these pundits is also reaching new heights.

Owens joined Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA in 2017 before joining Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire network until her departure in 2024

Owens has been embroiled in a heated feud with Netanyahu, accusing him of "lying" to the American public about his relationship with Kirk. She even went so far as to suggest that Kirk's murder may have been orchestrated by Netanyahu himself, a claim that Owens says she plans to investigate further.

But Owens isn't just targeting world leaders – she's also going after some of her own colleagues in the online space. In a scathing rant on her show, Owens accused fellow pundit Tim Pool of being "too soft" on Israel and not doing enough to expose Netanyahu's alleged wrongdoing.

The Battle for Online Supremacy

Owens's relationship with Shapiro fell apart after she became increasingly critical of Israel, which Shapiro, who is Jewish, supports

As the dust continues to settle over the right-wing online community, one thing is clear: these pundits are willing to do whatever it takes to get attention and views. And with millions of dollars at stake, it's no wonder that these personalities are going all out to outdo each other.

But not everyone is a fan of this new era of online punditry. Critics have accused some of these personalities of being "far right" or "fringe conspiracy theorists," but one thing is clear – they're having a huge impact on the way we consume news and information.

The Mainstream Media's Response

Controversial far-right live streamer Nick Fuentes, 26, had feuded with Charlie Kirk, but described his death a 'tragedy' following his assassination on September 10

As the online space continues to evolve, it's clear that traditional network stars are struggling to keep up. With ratings plummeting and viewership dwindling, many in the mainstream media are feeling the heat.

ABC's Jimmy Kimmel was abruptly dumped by the network after he made a series of remarks about Kirk's murder, which some saw as insensitive and tone-deaf. And it's not just Kimmel – other network stars like Stephen Colbert and Terry Moran have also seen their ratings suffer in recent months.

The Future of Media

Kirk's assassination saw right-wing firebrands pull in record views

So what does this all mean for the future of media? With online personalities like Owens, Shapiro, and Kelly drawing more views than traditional network stars, it's clear that the way we consume news is changing. And it's not just about the numbers – these pundits are also bringing a level of controversy and drama to the online space that's unmatched in traditional media.

As one veteran celebrity publicist put it: "If you put them in a room together their venom toward their subjects can turn just as bad toward their colleagues." It's a stark reminder that in this new era of online punditry, the stakes are higher than ever before.

The Rivalries Heating Up

Owens, who now has her own show on YouTube, has also become one of many powerhouse conservative commentators online dismissed by many as 'far right' or 'fringe conspiracy theorists' due to her unapologetic style and controversial takes

But don't think for a second that these feuds are limited to just Owens and Shapiro. There's also been a heated rivalry brewing between Megyn Kelly and Candace Owens, with both women trading barbs on social media.

And then there's the case of Alex Jones, who had a massive meltdown on his show earlier this month after his longtime deputy walked off the set. It's just another example of how these online personalities are willing to do whatever it takes to get attention and views.

The World Has Changed

Owens has famously been embroiled in a feud - and more recently a lawsuit - with French President Emmanuel Macron after publicly accusing French First Lady Brigitte Macron of being a man

As one veteran journalist put it: "The days of doing a network show like 'Good Morning America' or the 'Today' show is over." With millions of dollars at stake, it's no wonder that these online personalities are becoming more and more aggressive in their pursuit of attention.

And it's not just about the money – these pundits are also changing the way we consume news and information. As one publicist noted: "If you want to promote a project, you do on a podcast. The PR people don't talk about it but they all know."

The Legitimacy of Online Pundits

Far-right radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones had a massive meltdown on his show earlier this month after his longtime deputy on Infowars, Owen Shroyer, walked off the show

But what does this say about the legitimacy of online pundits like Owens and Shapiro? Are they truly experts in their fields, or are they simply attention-seekers looking to make a name for themselves?

As one veteran journalist put it: "Legitimacy is about having a voice. Is it a voice a lot of us would consider truthful? No." But with millions of views at stake, these online personalities are clearly willing to do whatever it takes to get their message out.

The Final Verdict

The rise of Right-wing streamers has seen network stars such as Stephen Colbert dwindle this year

In the end, it's clear that this new era of online punditry is here to stay. With right-wing personalities like Owens and Shapiro drawing more attention than traditional network stars, it's no wonder that these pundits are feeling emboldened to speak out against world leaders and their own colleagues.

And while some may see these feuds as a form of entertainment, others are taking them much more seriously. As one publicist noted: "If you hate-watched the online pundits – and I do – you'd think they're having a massive brawl in a bar."

But with millions of dollars at stake, it's no wonder that these personalities are willing to do whatever it takes to get attention. And as the world continues to evolve and change, one thing is clear: the online space will continue to be a major player in shaping our understanding of politics and media.

The media shift has even impacted cable news pundits such as CNN's Jim Acosta

Sources:

  • A former NBC News executive told TheScholarlyNote.com: 'These people are just as big if not bigger online as Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer were in their prime, but the mainstream media ignores them as if they're irrelevant.'
  • Ken Tucker, a longtime NPR pop music critic and former veteran TV critic for Entertainment Weekly, said: "When it comes to media controversy, what makes the Right so much more interesting than the Left right now is the diversity of opinion and the willingness to disagree, to let arguments get heated, with actual consequences."
  • A veteran celebrity publicist who has worked for some of the biggest network news shows told TheScholarlyNote.com: "If you put them in a room together their venom toward their subjects can turn just as bad toward their colleagues. They're being rewarded for really aggressive behavior. This is who they are, the nastier, the more provocative and edgy they are the better they do."
  • A former NBC News executive told TheScholarlyNote.com: "I mean Emmanuel Macron has been so rattled by Candace's attacks on his wife that he's taken the unprecedented decision to sue her."