WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews)- A White House Religious Liberty Commission hearing on combating antisemitism turned contentious Monday when commissioner Carrie Prejean Boller, a former Miss California USA and Trump appointee, aggressively defended podcaster Candace Owens and commentator Tucker Carlson against accusations of antisemitism leveled by Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon.

The exchange occurred during the commission’s first public hearing, held at the Museum of the Bible and focused on rising antisemitism and religious freedom in the private sector.

Dillon, testifying as a witness, highlighted what he described as failures within conservative circles to confront antisemitism head-on. He identified Owens and Carlson as prominent figures who have engaged in rhetoric he characterized as antisemitic, calling them “the two most famous antisemites” — a statement met with cheers from parts of the audience.

Prejean Boller, who said she watches Owens’ content daily, interrupted to demand that Dillon cease labeling Owens an antisemite. “I would really appreciate it if you would stop calling Candace Owens an antisemite,” she said. “She’s not an antisemite.” She added that she had not heard “one thing out of her mouth that I would say is antisemitic,” despite Owens’ well-documented statements criticizing Jewish influence, Kabbalah, and Israel in terms widely condemned as antisemitic by Jewish organizations.

Prejean Boller, wearing a pin combining the U.S. and Palestinian flags, also questioned why Dillon repeatedly referenced Owens and Carlson, saying, “I don’t know why you keep bringing her up and Tucker.”

Dillon responded by explaining that Owens “goes far beyond not merely supporting Zionism,” and has frequently denigrated Jews directly in her commentary. He urged Prejean Boller to review more of Owens’ statements for context.

The confrontation underscored broader tensions at the hearing, where discussions occasionally shifted from domestic antisemitism to debates over Israel, Gaza, and Zionism. Prejean Boller pressed witnesses on whether criticism of Israel or opposition to Zionism constitutes antisemitism, a line of questioning that drew pushback from some attendees and panelists.

Dillon emphasized the need for courage in addressing antisemitism within all communities, including the political right. “The antidote to antisemitism is not to ignore it or to outlaw it, but to confront it with courage and conviction,” he said earlier in his testimony, “and that means not just calling out the antisemites, but the cowards who can’t bring themselves to join us.”

The Religious Liberty Commission, established by President Trump to advise on protecting religious freedoms, continues to examine threats to faith communities amid ongoing legal challenges to its structure.