Candace Owens blasts Ivanka Trump’s luxury resort dream

Conservative podcaster Candace Owens has attacked Ivanka Trump’s $1.4 billion private island investment off Albania’s coast, joining protests in Tirana and online anger over what critics call tone-deaf wealth during an economic strain.

Candace Owens didn’t go after Donald Trump this time. She went for Ivanka Trump.

On business mogul David Senra’s eponymous podcast, Owens took aim at the first daughter’s plan to develop a luxury resort on a private island off the coast of Albania — a project that critics say is flaunting entitlement while many Americans are struggling financially.

Ivanka has already faced backlash for describing the investment with a kind of wide-eyed discovery. On Senra’s podcast. she said she and her husband. Jared Kushner. found the island “on a friend’s boat” after stopping “for a swim. ” adding that they “swam to the islands. ” went “on a hike. barefoot all the way. up to the top. ” and were “captivated.” The couple later decided to pursue a development project there. with Ivanka’s critics pointing to the project’s reported $1.4 billion price tag.

That pitch — and the wealth behind it — has become part of what’s driving a growing storm around the plan. In Albania’s capital of Tirana. residents have demanded the development be halted immediately. holding rallies with signs reading “Ivanka go home” and “Albania is not for sale.” Protesters have also brought cardboard cut-outs of pink flamingos. a protected migratory bird species in the area.

Owens, who was once a Trump supporter, added her voice to the criticism on her own podcast. She framed her attack in personal terms, calling Ivanka “acting like an ‘innocent wife’ while others suffer.”

Owens also escalated the rhetoric, saying: “Thousands are protesting in Albania. The largest protests… [are] demanding that these demons who just committed a genocide get the h*** away from their island.” She has frequently criticized Israel’s war in Gaza.

The pushback isn’t only political or social. Environmental concerns have also sharpened around the site. Part of the area slated for development was previously designated as a military exclusion zone and still has a base and bunkers on site. Opponents say the location is home to animals and plant life. and they fear construction will harm a local wildlife reserve.

As reported by The Associated Press, construction equipment including excavators has already moved into the area. Crews have created access roads, dug into sandy terrain, cleared sections of land among pine forests, and erected fencing.

Environmental organizations in Albania and across Europe have criticized the activity. One prominent local group warned that habitats that have long been protected are being “irreversibly destroyed.” Opponents have also argued that approving one major luxury development could open the door for more along the coastline.

Online, those frustrations have found an outlet in sharp commentary about timing and priorities. Critics said Ivanka’s luxury move is a poor look during an economic crisis. One commenter wrote. “This stolen money from the American taxpayers. how about building houses for the homeless veterans instead?” Another focused on what they saw as her decision to talk publicly about the project when many people are struggling. saying. “Why in the h*** would she throw this in the face of millions of less fortunate people in a failing economy… Beyond out of touch. ” while another added. “How profoundly tone deaf of the Trump crying family to even talk about this right now with the way the economy is going.”.

For Owens, the message is simple: while others feel the squeeze, Ivanka’s resort dream has become a flashpoint — from Tirana’s streets to the comments section.

Candace Owens Ivanka Trump Jared Kushner Albania luxury resort Tirana protests private island pink flamingos environmental groups David Senra podcast