Macrons file defamation suit against US influencer Candace Owens

July 23, 2025

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have filed a defamation lawsuit against right-wing influencer Candace Owens for repeatedly claiming that Brigitte Macron was born male. The lawsuit, filed in Delaware, states that Owens has spread "outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions" despite multiple requests for retraction. Owens has promoted this conspiracy theory to her nearly 7 million followers on X and through her podcast, standing by her allegations even after the lawsuit was filed.

Who is affected

Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron
Candace Owens and her Delaware-headquartered companies
Owens' audience of nearly 7 million followers on X and her podcast listeners
Jean-Michel Trogneux (Brigitte's brother whose name is used in the conspiracy theory)

What action is being taken

The Macrons have filed a defamation lawsuit in Delaware against Owens and her companies
Owens continues to spread the conspiracy theories through her podcast and social media channels
Owens is publicly challenging the lawsuit and standing by her allegations
The Macrons are seeking unspecified damages through legal action

Why it matters

Under US law, the Macrons will need to prove "actual malice" to win their defamation case
The lawsuit highlights the spread of conspiracy theories by influential figures with large audiences
This case addresses personal attacks against public figures that extend beyond political criticism
A similar case in France initially found two women guilty of libel for spreading these claims, though that decision was recently overturned on appeal

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC