The Macron Lawsuit Against Candace Owens
The lawsuit filed by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, against right-wing commentator Candace Owens marks a significant legal confrontation rooted in a series of defamatory claims.
Why the Lawsuit Happened
The legal action stems from a prolonged campaign by Candace Owens, a prominent conservative commentator, who has repeatedly claimed that Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, was born a man and that Emmanuel Macron is controlled by the CIA.
These allegations first gained traction in early 2024, when Owens boldly stated she would “stake [her] entire professional reputation” on the assertion that Brigitte Macron is male. She amplified these claims through her podcast and social media platforms, including an eight-part series titled Becoming Brigitte, which further explored and propagated these theories.
Despite multiple retraction demands from the Macrons, Owens refused to back down, standing firm on her statements. This refusal prompted the Macrons to file a defamation lawsuit in Delaware Superior Court, accusing Owens of engaging in a “relentless year-long campaign of defamation.”
The lawsuit alleges that Owens’ actions were not only false but also designed to boost her media platform and generate profit, while causing significant reputational harm and emotional distress to the Macron family. The unusual step of a sitting president suing a foreign journalist underscores the severity of the situation and the Macrons’ determination to counter these claims legally.
What the Lawsuit Is About
The lawsuit is a detailed 22-count defamation claim, targeting what the Macrons describe as “outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions” spread by Owens. The core allegations include:
-Gender Misrepresentation: Owens’ persistent claim that Brigitte Macron was born a man, a narrative she has pushed across multiple platforms.
-Identity Theft: Assertions that Brigitte Macron stole another person’s identity before transitioning to a woman.
-Incestuous Relationship: False statements alleging that Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron are blood relatives engaged in an incestuous relationship.
-CIA Control: Claims that Emmanuel Macron is a product of a CIA experiment and is being controlled by unknown external forces.
The Macrons argue that these accusations are baseless and were made with reckless disregard for the truth. The lawsuit emphasizes that Owens’ campaign has caused “tremendous damage” to their reputation, subjecting them to global ridicule and personal anguish. It portrays Owens’ actions as a deliberate attempt to harass the couple and elevate her own notoriety, rather than a good-faith pursuit of truth. The legal filing seeks to hold Owens accountable for the harm inflicted and to set a precedent against such defamatory behavior.
Will the U.S. Government Get Involved?
There is no direct evidence suggesting that the U.S. government will intervene in this lawsuit. As a civil matter between private parties filed in a U.S. court, the case falls outside the scope of governmental jurisdiction. The Delaware Superior Court will handle the proceedings based on defamation law, and the U.S. government typically does not interfere in such disputes, even when they involve prominent international figures.
However, the fact that a sitting foreign head of state is a plaintiff could introduce diplomatic considerations. The U.S. and France maintain strong bilateral relations, and any perceived mishandling of the case might draw attention from diplomatic circles. That said, direct intervention by the U.S. government remains unlikely unless the lawsuit escalates into a broader international incident, which is not indicated by the current circumstances. For now, the legal battle is confined to the courtroom, with no official U.S. government involvement anticipated.
Trump’s Phone Call to Candace Owens
A particularly intriguing element of this saga is Owens’ claim that former President Donald Trump called her earlier in 2024 to discuss the rumors surrounding Brigitte Macron’s gender. According to Owens, Trump allegedly confronted Macron about these rumors during a separate conversation, though no independent evidence confirms this exchange. Owens has cited this alleged phone call as part of her defense against the lawsuit, suggesting that even Trump harbored doubts about Brigitte Macron’s identity.
The veracity of this claim remains unverified, as it relies solely on Owens’ own statements. No official records or statements from Trump’s camp have substantiated the story, leaving it open to skepticism. Whether the call occurred—and if so, what was discussed—remains unclear, but it has added a layer of political intrigue to the case. Owens’ invocation of Trump could be an attempt to bolster her credibility or deflect criticism, though it has yet to sway the legal proceedings in her favor.
What Candace Owens Has Been Saying About Brigitte Macron
Candace Owens has made a series of sensational and inflammatory claims about Brigitte Macron, primarily through her podcast, social media, and public statements. These include:
-Brigitte Macron is a Man: Owens has repeatedly asserted that Brigitte was born male, framing this as a central pillar of her allegations.
-Identity Theft and Transition: She has claimed that Brigitte stole another person’s identity before transitioning, weaving a narrative of deception.
-Incestuous Relationship: Owens has stated that the Macrons are blood relatives engaged in incest, a particularly inflammatory accusation.
-CIA Involvement: She has also suggested that Emmanuel Macron is a product of a CIA experiment, implying he is a puppet of external forces.
These claims have been widely speculated, but lack credible backing. They have nonetheless garnered significant attention, fueled by Owens’ large following and her provocative style. Despite retraction demands from the Macrons, Owens has doubled down, using her platform to perpetuate these narratives and framing the lawsuit as an attack on her free speech.
Owens’ Evidence and the Macrons’ Rebuttal
Owens’ so-called evidence supporting her claims is rooted in conspiracy theories and misinformation. She has relied on dubious sources, including a self-proclaimed spiritual medium and a discredited “investigative journalist,” neither of whom provide verifiable facts. Her arguments hinge on speculation and fringe narratives rather than documented proof, and she has offered no substantive evidence to support her allegations about Brigitte Macron’s gender, identity, or the Macrons’ relationship.
In contrast, the Macrons have presented what their lawsuit describes as “incontrovertible evidence” to refute Owens’ claims. This includes:
-Birth Records: Proof that Brigitte Macron was born a woman named Brigitte Trogneux, directly contradicting Owens’ gender claims.
-Genealogical Documentation: Evidence showing that Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron are not blood relatives, debunking the incest allegation.
-Official Denials: Documentation and statements refuting any notion of CIA control over Emmanuel Macron.
The Macrons’ legal team argues that Owens ignored this evidence, choosing instead to profit from her defamatory campaign. They assert that her actions were motivated by a desire for attention and financial gain, rather than any genuine belief in her assertions.