French President Macron Sues Candace Owens for Calling His Wife a Man

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.