French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse Brigitte face backlash from Candace Owens over a distressing conspiracy theory regarding the First Lady.
In an unexpected turn of events, right-wing influencer Candace Owens is facing a defamation lawsuit from French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron. The lawsuit, filed in the USA, accuses Owens of spreading a false and defamatory conspiracy theory about Brigitte Macron's gender.
The theory, which Owens has become a vocal proponent of, claims that Brigitte Macron was born as Jean-Michel Trogneux, who is actually her brother. This baseless claim has been a subject of online discussion, with Owens repeatedly posting about it on social media and addressing it on her podcast. The lawsuit also mentions that Owens hosted an eight-part podcast series titled Becoming Brigitte, further fuelling the speculation.
The Macrons, who have been a target for attention due to their unconventional relationship—Emmanuel was a 15-year-old student when they first met, and Brigitte was a 39-year-old drama teacher—are seeking a jury trial to award them 'actual and presumed damages to be specifically determined at trial.'
The lawsuit against Owens comes after a French judge overturned libel convictions against Amandine Roy and Natacha Rey for peddling similar theories. Owens, who labels herself as an independent 'investigative journalist', has been accused of routinely peddling misinformation under the guise of legitimate reporting.
Notably, Owens has used this false statement to promote her independent platform, gain notoriety, and make money. On July 8, 2024, Owens posted a photo on social media of herself wearing a t-shirt showcasing a fake Time magazine 'Man of the Year' cover featuring Brigitte Macron, and the shirt sold out.
In March 2024, Owens stated that she would 'stake her entire professional reputation' on the fact that Brigitte Macron is a man. Despite this, Owens' spokesperson has stated that she is not shutting up and is defending her First Amendment rights.
Brigitte Macron has previously admitted that having an age gap in their relationship has been difficult at times. However, the couple reconnected later in life and tied the knot in 2007. Brigitte has also appealed her case in France to the country's highest court.
This lawsuit marks a significant step in the fight against the spread of misinformation and defamatory statements in the public sphere. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how this will impact Owens' career and the credibility of her platform.
