French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States against conservative commentator Candace Owens, accusing her of spreading false and harmful claims about the First Lady’s gender. The suit, filed Wednesday in Delaware Superior Court, alleges that Owens launched a calculated campaign of defamation for personal gain, falsely claiming Brigitte Macron was born male.
According to the 22-count complaint, Owens promoted the unfounded claim that Brigitte Macron, 52, was originally named Jean-Michel Trogneux—the name of her older brother. The Macrons argue that these statements have led to widespread public humiliation, severely impacting their personal lives and reputations. The lawsuit accuses Owens of using these fabrications to grow her podcast audience and further her influence by appealing to what the Macrons describe as a “frenzied” base of followers.
“This ongoing campaign of lies is invasive, dehumanizing, and deeply unjust,” the complaint states. “Every time the Macrons leave their home, they do so knowing that countless people have heard, and many believe, these vile fabrications.”
The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. While Macron’s office declined to comment, Owens has yet to respond to media inquiries regarding the legal action.
The case marks a rare instance of a sitting world leader pursuing a defamation suit in a U.S. court. As public figures, the Macrons face the challenge of proving that Owens acted with “actual malice,” a high legal standard requiring evidence that she knowingly spread falsehoods or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. The legal battle mirrors a growing trend of high-profile defamation disputes, including recent suits filed by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
