French President Emmanuel Macron has sued American far-right influencer Candace Owens for defamation, Politico reports.
Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron are suing Owens, alleging that the influencer profited by spreading false news that the French first lady is biologically male. In the lawsuit filed in Delaware state court, Macron alleges that Owens “used false news to promote her platform, gain exposure, and profit.” Owens’ work includes an eight-episode podcast called “Becoming Brigette,” in which the influencer promotes conspiracy theories about the Macrons.
According to the 219-page indictment, the conservative influencer began spreading theories about the French president’s wife in 2024, claiming that Ms. Macron was born a man, stole someone else’s identity and engaged in incest. The French politician and his wife deny all the theories.
Meanwhile,
Owens has not backed down from her own claims,
going so far as to produce T-shirts featuring the French first lady’s face in the style of the cover of Time Magazine and the words “Man of the Year.”
The Elysee Palace has not commented further on the lawsuit. Owens’s spokesman, meanwhile, condemned the lawsuit as “an attack by a foreign government on the freedom of speech of independent American journalism.” He added that Owens had repeatedly invited Ms. Macron for an interview, but Ms. Macron chose to attack the journalist instead.
In the lawsuit, the Macrons claim that Owens’ statements have sparked a wave of backlash and are requesting that the case be heard in Delaware, where the influencer’s company is registered. A lawsuit is also currently underway in France on this issue against two women who have insulted the first lady.
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