French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron have filed a defamation lawsuit in Delaware against American commentator Candace Owens. The lawsuit accuses Owens of launching a campaign of false and harmful claims, including the baseless allegation that Brigitte Macron was born male. According to court documents, the couple is seeking damages and an end to what they describe as a prolonged and damaging conspiracy theory.
The complaint describes Owens’ conduct as a “relentless and unjustified smear campaign.” It states that she repeatedly spread these claims on social media and her podcast. The Macrons say they attempted to address the issue privately and through formal channels in France, but Owens’ continued defiance left them no choice but to pursue legal action in the United States.
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Owens, a far-right influencer with millions of followers across YouTube and Instagram, amplified the false claim in recent broadcasts, including a March 2024 podcast episode. She accused Brigitte Macron of concealing her gender identity and linked her to broader conspiracy theories. The Macrons argue that Owens used these fabrications to incite mockery, attract attention, and monetize disinformation.
The complaint outlines the timeline of repeated attacks and points to specific clips, captions, and engagement metrics that demonstrate intentional harm. Brigitte Macron, a public figure with no political role, has faced the rumor for years. What began as fringe internet gossip gained legitimacy through repetition by high-profile voices like Owens. The Macrons say these attacks have led to “a campaign of global humiliation” and caused lasting emotional damage.
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French First Couple Pushes For Legal Accountability
The Macrons’ attorneys argue that they exhausted other avenues to halt the disinformation. Despite public denials and previous legal warnings, the falsehood persisted. With the U.S. defamation suit, the couple seeks not only monetary damages but also a formal ruling that discredits the smear campaign.
This legal move is not without precedent for the Macrons, who have previously taken similar action against domestic actors. However, the choice to pursue Owens in U.S. court signals a shift in strategy. Rather than quietly endure, they are forcing a public confrontation in a country where Owens has built her influence and income. The Macrons’ decision also spotlights how internet disinformation crosses borders and exposes victims to relentless personal attacks without recourse unless legal systems intervene.
By filing this lawsuit, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron are drawing a line against viral disinformation and public degradation. Their case could set an important precedent about the limits of free speech in the context of global conspiracy campaigns. Whether or not the court rules in their favor, the message is clear. The French first couple is no longer staying silent while their identities and dignity become targets of political spectacle.
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I wish the Macrons success. There is a tendency in certain corners of society, to generate falsehoods about the sex of women in public life who are successful and do not fit the mold. Women I have seen being accused of secretly being men: Michelle Obama, Amal Clooney and now, Brigitte Macron. The first two are women of colour who have excelled in their professional and public lives.
Brigitte Macron is of course not a woman of colour, but she is a retired teacher and an older woman who defied societal expectations by getting married to a much younger man (something men do all the time) and now, has had enough of the people brewing these falsehoods.
Doesn’t matter what one thinks of the Macrons’ marriage. It happened and they are the two people in it. Candance Owens created this problem for herself. I hope she enjoys spending all the money she’s made on lawyers.
I Think Candace Owens Is “Modern day” Marie Laveau
I Think Candace Owens Is a Despicable Woman