Background

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, have filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States against conservative commentator Candace Owens, following Owens’ repeated allegations that the First Lady is a man. The suit marks a notable escalation in a long-running campaign of harassment and conspiracy theories targeting Madame Macron, with the French couple now seeking legal redress beyond their home country.

Details of the Lawsuit

• Filed In: Delaware Superior Court, United States
• Plaintiffs: Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron
• Defendant: Candace Owens and her business entities
• Counts: 22 counts, including defamation and “false light”

The suit describes Owens’ claims as “outrageous, libelous, and implausible fabrications,” asserting that they have subjected the Macrons to “relentless bullying” and a “campaign of global humiliation.” The Macrons allege that Owens has repeatedly ignored credible evidence, favoring sensationalism and conspiracy to profit from their personal lives.

Owens’ Statements and Actions

According to the legal filings:

• Owens published a podcast series called Becoming Brigitte, and created social media content with her 4.5 million YouTube subscribers, asserting that Brigitte Macron is actually a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux (the name of Brigitte’s brother).
• Owens also marketed merchandise and monetized content centered around these false claims.
• She publicly declared that she would “stake [her] entire professional reputation” on these allegations, despite being repeatedly confronted with contrary evidence and direct denials from the Macrons.

The Macrons’ Response

The Macrons argue that:

• The conspiracy theories have caused “significant economic harm,” including the loss of business opportunities.
• The campaign has turned their personal lives into fodder for profit-driven lies, causing “global humiliation and relentless bullying”.
• Owens continued her efforts despite knowing the claims were false, choosing to double down rather than retract her statements.

Context and Precedents

This lawsuit is unusual in that a sitting world leader is personally suing a foreign media personality in another country’s courts. Notably:

• Brigitte Macron previously won a defamation case in France against individuals who spread similar rumors, although the verdict was overturned by an appeals court on “good faith” grounds; that matter is still under review in France’s highest court.
• Legal experts highlight that American libel law sets a high bar for public figures like the Macrons, requiring proof that Owens acted with “actual malice”—knowing falsity or reckless disregard for the truth.

What’s Next

The Macrons are seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a public correction of the record. Owens has stated she will address the lawsuit on her own podcast, but had not commented further as of the time of filing.

This high-profile case spotlights the difficulties public figures face in combating viral misinformation, while also raising questions about the limits of free speech, defamation laws, and international jurisdiction in the social media age.

The robotic revolution is advancing beyond factory floors and into the center of our homes. AI-powered household helpers are steadily taking the grind out of everyday chores, fundamentally shifting the way we live and redefining what “work” even means for millions. As these technologies accelerate, a pressing question emerges: could robots end the very concept of human drudgery—both in the home and eventually, beyond?

The Rise of Robotic Chore Experts

A decade ago, the idea of autonomous machines scrubbing our floors or sorting laundry sounded like science fiction. Today, it’s fast becoming the new normal:

• Smart vacuums and mopping robots now handle dust and spills automatically, mapping entire homes and learning the messiest spots.
• AI kitchen assistants prep basic meals, monitor ingredient stocks, and optimally schedule dishes for busy households.
• Prototype robots are folding laundry, loading dishwashers, and even organizing closets, with consumer models expected to reach more homes this decade.

How Far Can Automation Go?

According to multiple studies, as much as 39–46% of household chores could be automated by 2035. Tasks like vacuuming, grocery shopping, dishwashing, and basic cooking are among the first to be delegated to machines, freeing up hours every week for families.

But the implications go wider:

• AI’s learning curve keeps shrinking. With every update, robots become better at context, personalization, and error handling.
• Falling costs and rising adoption: What began as pricey tech is approaching mass affordability, putting automated drudgery removal within reach for millions.

Are Humans Next? Beyond Chores to Careers

The same innovations making home life easier are beginning to reshape the workplace:

• Routine office and service jobs are now being automated by AI at an accelerating pace, from administrative work to entry-level analysis and scheduling.
• Jobs requiring empathy, creativity, and judgment remain far less susceptible, but the pace of change is forcing a re-examination of what roles truly require a human touch.
• Adapting to Automation: Education systems and workplaces must pivot quickly to help people move from repetitive tasks to higher-level, more meaningful work.

Society at a Crossroads

As household and professional drudgery decline:

• Quality of life may rise: With fewer hours spent on menial chores, people gain time for creativity, relationships, and leisure.
• Redefining “work”: Human contributions may shift toward oversight, innovation, caregiving, and problem-solving—areas where machines still lag behind.

However, this transition also brings challenges, including possible job losses and questions about inequality and access to technology.

Key Takeaways

• Robots and AI home helpers are erasing the burden of household chores at a rapidly increasing pace.
• By 2035, up to 46% of domestic tasks could be automated, freeing humans for higher pursuits.
• As home and workplace automation grow, society will need to adapt, focusing human effort where it matters most.
• The end of household drudgery could just be the first step toward a broader transformation of work and life.

Few public figures have inspired as much adoration—or as much dangerous obsession—as Michael Jackson. While millions idolized him from afar, a handful of super-fans took their devotion into darker territory, crossing the line from fandom to frightening fixation. Here are the true accounts of three women whose obsessions made Michael Jackson’s life a very real nightmare.

Denise Feifer: From Devoted Admirer to Criminal Outlaw

Denise Feifer’s fascination with Michael Jackson began at age 12, blossoming into an intense, decades-long obsession. A former bank clerk from Leicestershire, England, Denise followed Jackson around the world during his “Dangerous” tour, attending nearly every date and spending about $40,000. Her devotion bordered on the extreme: she once waited at Heathrow airport for days and even bluffed her way into Jackson’s hotel room in Frankfurt, Germany, managing to spend over an hour with her idol.

But when child abuse allegations against Jackson erupted in 1993, Denise’s attachment took a dark turn. Convinced of his innocence, she flew to Los Angeles to confront the family of his accuser, Jordie Chandler. Her actions escalated to vandalism, threatening calls, and attempted break-ins. Denise was eventually arrested and held in harsh jail conditions. International headlines followed when actress Lynn Redgrave posted Denise’s bail. The experience shattered her illusions: feeling abandoned by Jackson and humiliated by her ordeal, she returned to England bitter and disillusioned, ultimately turning away from the fantasy life she had built around him.

Leavonne Powell: The Self-Styled “Billie Jean Jackson”

Leavonne Powell, known by various aliases including “Billie Jean Jackson” and “Gabriella Jamila,” became notorious in the late 1980s for her delusional pursuit of the pop star. Powell insisted that Jackson was her husband and the father of her children, repeatedly filing lawsuits—including a $150 million paternity claim in 1987—and even legally changing her name to Billie Jean Jackson.

Her behaviors went far beyond the legal realm. Powell trespassed on Jackson’s properties, billed luxury items to his name, and was caught trying to sneak into his house, all while disregarding restraining orders and serving multiple jail sentences. Even after her paternity suit was dismissed for lack of evidence and Powell was ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation, her fixation endured for years. Remarkably, she reemerged in 2008, now seeking $1 billion in support and visitation rights for yet another child she claimed Jackson had fathered—again, with no proof. Courts repeatedly dismissed her outlandish claims, but for Leavonne Powell, obsession never faded.

Michelle Flowers: Accuser, Litigant, and Reluctant Recantation

Michelle Flowers, a Californian, made headlines in 1994 by filing a paternity and child support lawsuit against Jackson, demanding a mansion and $20 million a year for her alleged son. Her claims spun into ever stranger territory: tales of Jackson disguised and stalking her, kidnapping attempts, and spiritual manipulation. Despite sweeping and uncorroborated allegations, Flowers continued to press her case, even as courts conducted DNA tests that definitively proved Jackson was not the father—the biological father was her former husband.

Judges barred Flowers from filing further suits without special approval, but she persisted, shifting her narrative from paternity to claims of assault and psychological harassment. Years later, during Jackson’s own high-profile criminal trial, Flowers performed a dramatic reversal, publicly recanting her accusations, defending Jackson’s character, and expressing regret for her previous claims. Whether out of remorse or a new phase of obsession, her flip-flop closed one of the most bewildering chapters in Jackson’s decades of legal and personal distress.

The Dark Side of Stardom

For Michael Jackson, the world’s adulation came with a perilous price. Denise Feifer, Leavonne Powell, and Michelle Flowers were more than zealous fans—they were relentless, sometimes delusional presences that invaded his privacy, safety, and peace of mind. These stories expose a chilling truth: while fame can inspire devotion, it can also attract dangerous obsession. For Jackson, the real horror wasn’t just the rumors or the press—but the super-fans whose love became his nightmare.