French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron have filed a 218-page defamation lawsuit against controversial U.S. conservative commentator Candace Owens.
This is happening in an extraordinary move that’s shaking both political and media circles.
The high-stakes legal battle, filed in Delaware, challenges Owens’ ongoing promotion of a sensational and false narrative—that Brigitte Macron was born male and is involved in identity fraud and CIA brainwashing plots. The suit marks a rare instance of a sitting head of state using a foreign court to battle viral disinformation.
The Podcast That Ignited a Firestorm
Owens launched an eight-part podcast titled “Becoming Brigitte”, a name that plays off Michelle Obama’s memoir but dives headfirst into fringe conspiracies. She accused Brigitte Macron of being born “Jean-Michel Trogneux” and alleged she fathered President Macron’s children—claims rooted in a far-right French hoax that resurfaced in 2021 and continues to fester online.
Despite receiving three legal retraction demands, Owens escalated her claims instead of backing down.
Inside the Lawsuit: Beyond Reputation
Represented by powerhouse defamation attorney Clare Locke, the Macrons allege that Owens’ statements were not only false but were made with “actual malice”—the American legal threshold requiring proof that the defendant knew the claims were lies or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
The lawsuit seeks:
Punitive damages
A jury trial
Public retractions
Compensation for legal costs
Owens Doubles Down
Candace Owens, a media figure known for stirring controversy, has framed the lawsuit as an attack on free speech. With over 4.5 million YouTube subscribers, she continues to publicly promote the claims and accuses the Macrons of using legal intimidation to suppress dissent.
“This is political theater,” she said. “They’re trying to set a global precedent against people like me.”
A Global Fight Over Truth
This lawsuit is more than a personal defense—it’s a symbolic pushback against viral misinformation and transphobic narratives. Experts note that similar smears have been lobbed at prominent women like Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris, often by the same circles that fuel alt-right disinformation.
By filing the suit in a U.S. court, the Macrons are leveraging American defamation law to strike at the heart of a global disinformation machine that thrives online.
Why It Matters
| Key Issue | What’s at Stake |
|---|---|
| Actual Malice Standard | Can Macron prove Owens knew the claims were false? |
| Precedent for Foreign Leaders | A win could open doors for others to sue in the U.S. |
| Free Speech vs. Hate Speech | Is conspiracy protected when it targets real people? |
