French President Emmanuel Macron and Wife Brigitte File Defamation Lawsuit Against Candace Owens

Paris, July 24, 2025 French President Emmanuel Macron, 47, and his wife Brigitte Macron, 72, have taken the rare step of filing a defamation lawsuit in a Delaware court against U.S. political commentator Candace Owens. The lawsuit, lodged on July 23, is backed by a 218‑page complaint citing 22 counts of defamation, false light, and defamation by implication Financial TimesReuters.

False Claims at the Center of the Lawsuit

The Macrons’ legal challenge targets a series of “verifiably false and devastating lies” spread by Owens, notably:

• That Brigitte Macron was born male under the name “Jean‑Michel Trogneux”
• That she “stole another person’s identity” and underwent transition
• That Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron are “blood relatives committing incest”
• That Emmanuel’s presidency stemmed from a CIA mind-control or MKUltra scheme Cadena SER+10The Guardian+10ElHuffPost+10

These claims were promoted through Owens’ eight-part series “Becoming Brigitte”, her podcast, and her social media platforms New York Post+7Financial Times+7The Guardian+7.

A Global Campaign of Humiliation

Attorney Tom Clare, representing the Macrons, described the campaign as "a campaign of global humiliation" that inflicted "relentless bullying on a worldwide scale" Cadena SER+7Reuters+7ABC News+7. The couple reportedly issued three formal retraction demands, all ignored, prompting them to litigate. They are now seeking substantial damages to offset reputational harm, emotional distress, and legal costs Cadena SER+4Financial Times+4The Guardian+4.

Unusual Legal Move and High Bar for Proof

The move marks a rare instance of a sitting world leader suing a U.S.-based commentator for defamation an action that must meet the high U.S. standard of “actual malice” Financial Times. The Macrons have expressed readiness to appear in Delaware, and are represented by renowned defamation firm Clare Locke, which also represented Dominion in its lawsuit against Fox ABC News+8The Guardian+8TIME+8.

Owens Pushes Back

Candace Owens has remained defiant, describing the lawsuit as “littered with factual inaccuracies” and an attempt to stifle her First Amendment rights. She has continued promoting her content and even hinted that political figures including Donald Trump could play a role in the case Reuters+1ABC News+1.

What’s Next

• The suit will proceed in Delaware Superior Court with hopes for a jury trial
• The Macrons intend to present birth records, photos, and family history to refute Owens’ allegations TIME
• Observers note that success requires proving Owens knowingly published falsehoods or acted recklessl

Why It Matters:

• The case underscores growing clashes between public figures and misinformation, and the limits of U.S. free speech protections
• It sets a precedent for how international leaders might seek legal recourse when subject to defamatory claims from abroad
• Ongoing developments may influence global approaches to online conspiracies and defamation law