News · Explainer
What is Harpole v. Owens, the defamation lawsuit that names Mitch Snow?
Charlie Kirk's former security lead sued Candace Owens, her companies and Mitchell Snow in April 2026, saying they falsely tied him to a meeting at Fort Huachuca the day before the shooting.
By Americans for Transparency · Published
The short answer
Harpole v. Owens is a federal defamation lawsuit filed in Nashville on April 30, 2026. Brian Harpole, who led Charlie Kirk's security team, sued Candace Owens, two of her companies and Mitchell Snow. The complaint says they falsely placed Harpole at a Fort Huachuca meeting on September 9, 2025, the day before Kirk was shot. The defendants have moved to dismiss, and no court has ruled on the facts.
- Filed April 30, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.
- Plaintiff: Brian Harpole, who led Charlie Kirk's security team.
- Defendants: Candace Owens, two of her companies, and Mitchell Snow.
- The core allegation is that Harpole was falsely placed at Fort Huachuca on September 9, 2025.
- A complaint is one side's account; no court has ruled on whether it is true.
Who is suing whom
Brian Harpole, who led Charlie Kirk's security team, filed suit in federal court in Nashville on April 30, 2026. The defendants are Candace Owens, two of her companies, and Mitchell Snow, a retired Army sergeant who spoke on Owens's podcast.[1][2]
What the complaint alleges
The complaint says Owens and Snow falsely placed Harpole at a meeting at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, on September 9, 2025, the day before Kirk was shot. It says Harpole's own travel records put him in Dallas, Texas that day. Those records are not attached to the public filing AFNPT read, and no court has examined them.[1]
It brings six counts, including defamation, false light, a separate defamation count against Snow, and civil conspiracy to defame. These are allegations by one side.[1]
“these are all just accusations, not court findings”
Where it stands
The defendants have moved to dismiss, and the case has not reached any ruling on the facts. As of the docket's October 12, 2026 update, every judge in the district had recused and motions to dismiss were pending. AFNPT's running account of the case is here.[4]
Questions people ask
Is Mitch Snow suing Candace Owens, or is he a defendant?
He is a defendant. The plaintiff is Brian Harpole. Both Owens and Snow are named as defendants, along with two of Owens's companies.
What is the case number?
Harpole v. Owens, No. 3:26-cv-00556, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. The docket is public on CourtListener.
Has a court decided whether the Fort Huachuca claim is true?
No. As of October 2026 no court has ruled on the facts. The pending motions concern jurisdiction and whether the complaint states a legal claim, not whether the account is true.
What does the plaintiff want?
The complaint seeks damages for defamation and related claims. It argues the Fort Huachuca allegation was false and harmed Harpole's reputation. The defendants dispute the claims and have moved to dismiss.
Sources
- [1]U.S. District Court, M.D. Tenn., Complaint, Harpole v. Owens, Doc. 1, April 30, 2026. Primary record
- [2]The New York Times, republished by The Salt Lake Tribune, Charlie Kirk's former security chief sues Candace Owens for defamation, May 1, 2026. News report“Snow did not immediately respond to a request for comment.”
- [3]Reason, The Volokh Conspiracy (Eugene Volokh), Candace Owens Sued for Defamation Over Claims of Conspiracy to Assassinate Charlie Kirk, April 30, 2026. News report“these are all just accusations, not court findings”
- [4]CourtListener / RECAP, Harpole v. Owens, No. 3:26-cv-00556 (M.D. Tenn.), docket sheet, October 12, 2026. Primary record