French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron have taken legal action against US right-wing commentator Candace Owens over defamatory claims. The couple filed a defamation lawsuit in Delaware Superior Court after Owens repeatedly spread false accusations through her popular podcast and social media, alleging that Brigitte Macron was assigned male at birth and pushing bizarre conspiracy theories about the Macron presidency.
Defamation Lawsuit Filed Over False Gender Claims
The Macrons’ legal complaint details how Owens used her platform to disseminate "provably false and damaging lies," including claims that Brigitte Macron was born a man and insinuations that the couple share a blood relation. Owens went further by suggesting that Emmanuel Macron’s election was the result of a CIA mind control operation. These accusations are part of an eight-episode podcast series titled "Becoming Brigitte," which gained significant traction online. The couple emphasizes that Owens’ actions have caused distress to their family and constitute harassment rather than legitimate discourse.
This lawsuit asks for a jury trial and unspecified punitive damages, highlighting the seriousness with which the Macrons view these attacks. Owens has millions of followers on social platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, giving her claims a broad audience. The lawsuit also notes that this type of transphobic speculation initially surfaced in 2021 from prominent conservative podcast hosts, revealing a wider pattern of falsehoods against the French First Lady.
Owens’ Escalation and Merchandise Controversy
Despite legal efforts and public denials, Candace Owens has doubled down on her allegations. In March 2024, Owens went as far as posting on X that she would "stake her entire professional reputation" on the assertion that Brigitte Macron is a man. She has also marketed T-shirts with Brigitte Macron’s face emblazoned with the mocking phrase “man of the year,” amplifying the defamatory campaign to profit from controversy.
The Macrons’ lawsuit in Delaware comes alongside ongoing legal battles in France against other individuals spreading similar conspiracy theories. While an initial libel ruling awarded damages to Brigitte Macron and her family members, a recent appeal resulted in acquittals, with Brigitte filing further appeals to defend her reputation. The French presidency has refrained from detailed public comment on the lawsuit, while Owens has not responded immediately to requests for statements.
Broader Implications for Political Defamation
This high-profile case spotlights the growing issue of defamatory misinformation in the digital age, especially involving political figures and their families. The Macron lawsuit marks a firm stand against targeted harassment fueled by social media influence and extremist commentary. It also raises broader questions about the accountability of public influencers when disseminating harmful falsehoods.
The outcome of the Delaware court case may set a precedent for how accusations rooted in conspiracy and bigotry are handled across borders, as international figures increasingly face defamation campaigns from online personalities. For Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron, the lawsuit is a crucial step to safeguard their dignity and challenge the dangerous spread of baseless and damaging rumors.