Macron emphasizes: She is indeed a woman

U.S. lawsuit initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse, Brigitte Macron, to rebut allegations that she was biologically male at birth.

, and ASMedia

2025 September 24 . 10:04 PM

2 min read

Macron emphasizes: She is indeed a woman

In an international legal battle, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, are taking right-wing commentator Candace Owens to court in the Delaware Superior Court. The lawsuit targets Owens for propagating a conspiracy theory that Brigitte Macron is a transgender woman named Jean-Michel Trogneux.

The Macrons remain committed to demonstrating the falsity of the allegations against Brigitte Macron. Their legal team emphasises the importance of safeguarding individuals' reputations against baseless conspiracy theories in the digital age. The proceedings continue to attract attention internationally, reflecting broader debates about the responsibilities of social media influencers, the limits of free speech, and the mechanisms available for addressing false information in the digital age.

The evidence in the case will include expert testimony and personal photographs of Brigitte Macron, including images documenting her pregnancies and her role raising her children. This U.S. case follows earlier legal action in France where Brigitte Macron and her brother won a defamation lawsuit against two bloggers who spread the same rumors, but the decision was overturned on appeal in 2025 on free speech grounds.

Owens has argued that her statements are protected under the First Amendment as free speech. However, the Macrons' legal strategy focuses on providing clear and compelling evidence to rebut the claims and protect Brigitte Macron's public and personal identity. The Macrons' lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

Owens has filed a motion to dismiss the case, questioning the Delaware court's jurisdiction and challenging whether the Macrons can demonstrate that she acted with 'actual malice.' The Macrons' legal team plans to present scientific and photographic evidence in court to disprove the claims.

The case underscores the personal toll such claims can take, particularly when they concern sensitive aspects of an individual's private life. It also highlights the challenges public figures face in countering disinformation while balancing legal protections for free speech. The outcome of the case could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.