The conservative movement faced a moment of reckoning in Phoenix this week. Comedian Rob Schneider took the stage at AmFest 2025 and delivered a scorching roast of commentator Candace Owens. He labeled her a grifter and dismantled her recent conspiracy theories in front of a stunned crowd. The speech marked a major turning point in the ongoing cultural battle within the American Right.
Schneider Takes the Stage in Phoenix
The atmosphere inside the Phoenix Convention Center was already heavy. Attendees were still processing the recent tragedy involving Charlie Kirk.
Rob Schneider walked onto the stage with a serious mission cloaked in humor. The former “Saturday Night Live” star has become a vocal figure in conservative circles over the last few years. He usually focuses on cancel culture or government overreach.
This time was different.
He aimed his sights directly at one of the most prominent voices in the room. Schneider made it clear he was not there just to tell jokes. He was there to draw a line in the sand.
Key moments from the opening of his speech included:
- Acknowledging the somber mood regarding Charlie Kirk.
- Criticizing the current state of political discourse.
- Signaling that he would not hold back on “family business.”
The audience seemed unsure how to react at first. Schneider is known for his slapstick comedy. But his tone suggested he was about to address something rot at the core of their movement.
Rob Schneider speaking at podium AmFest 2025 Phoenix
Comedian Mocks Owens with Harsh Labels
The tension broke when Schneider dropped the hammer on Candace Owens.
He refused to use her correct name. He repeatedly called her “Candace Owen” throughout the set. It was a subtle dig that stripped her of her brand identity.
Then came the word that silenced the room. Grifter.
Schneider did not mince words. He painted a picture of Owens not as a true believer, but as someone chasing fame and money at any cost.
He joked about her childhood dreams. He said she must have dreamed of becoming “the biggest grifter the world has ever seen.” The crowd reaction was a mix of gasps and nervous laughter.
“All of Candace’s dreams come true .. especially the dream she had when she was a little girl about one day becoming the biggest grifter the world has ever seen.”
This attack went beyond political differences. It attacked her character and her motives. Schneider suggested that her entire career is a performance designed to extract money from eager followers.
Taking Aim at Wild Conspiracy Theories
The roast did not stop at name calling. Schneider brought receipts.
He highlighted the increasingly bizarre theories Owens has promoted in recent months. He used humor to show how absurd her claims sound when spoken out loud.
One specific claim involved the Middle East.
Schneider mocked her alleged proof that “Venezuelan boats were blown up by the Zionist state of Israel.” He sarcastically noted that her “proof” came from a dream. This highlighted a major criticism of Owens. Critics say she often relies on intuition rather than hard evidence.
He also targeted these specific claims:
- The Macron Conspiracy: He ridiculed her obsession with the gender of the French President’s wife. He asked if the “important questions” involved asking if an elderly woman “has a penis.”
- The Lawsuit: He reminded the crowd that this specific theory has led to a defamation lawsuit from the Macrons.
- The Kirk Tragedy: He referenced her baseless conspiracies tied to the death of Charlie Kirk.
He quipped that Owens promised Erika Kirk she would be “3 percent less completely retarded.” It was a crude joke. But it underscored the pain her comments have caused the Kirk family.
Following Ben Shapiro Lead on Criticism
Schneider was not the first to attack Owens at this event.
Earlier in the week, Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro took the first shot. He criticized Owens for spreading lies. He focused heavily on her comments regarding the loss of Charlie Kirk.
Shapiro has often avoided public feuds with former allies. But the gravity of the situation forced his hand.
Owens responded to Shapiro in a way many found petty. She insulted his height. She did not address the facts of his argument. She deflected with personal attacks.
Schneider picked up the baton from Shapiro.
Where Shapiro used logic and anger, Schneider used ridicule. This one-two punch suggests a coordinated effort by mainstream conservatives. They appear ready to push Owens to the fringes of the movement.
Comedians have mostly ignored Owens in the past. Late night hosts usually avoid her to prevent giving her oxygen. Schneider changed that dynamic. He showed that ridicule might be the most effective weapon against her brand of commentary.
Honoring Charlie Kirk Amidst the Comedy
The set was not entirely negative.
Schneider ended his time on stage by pivoting back to what mattered most to the attendees. He spoke about faith and culture.
He honored the legacy of Charlie Kirk. The shock of his assassination on September 10 still hangs over the political landscape. Schneider urged the crowd to focus on building rather than destroying.
He contrasted Kirk’s legacy of organization with the chaos of conspiracy theorists.
The speech served two purposes:
- It purged the movement of bad actors.
- It rallied the faithful around shared values.
Schneider left the stage to thunderous applause. The roast of Candace Owens may be remembered as the moment the conservative movement decided to clean house.
The question now is how Owens will respond. If history is any guide, she will likely double down. But with heavy hitters like Shapiro and Schneider united against her, her path forward looks much more difficult.
