Macron's lawsuit against trans defamation is deemed frivolous and counterproductive
In the heart of July 2025, conservative commentator Candace Owens found herself embroiled in a significant legal battle. The French President, Emmanuel Macron, and his wife, Brigitte Macron, have filed a defamation lawsuit against Owens in a Delaware state court [1][2][3][4].
The lawsuit stems from Owens' repeated claims that Brigitte Macron was born male, perpetuating baseless conspiracy theories that she was "born a man" and previously named Jean-Michel Trogneux, who is in fact Brigitte’s brother. The Macrons allege that Owens has used these falsehoods to promote her brand, gain notoriety, and profit financially, ignoring all credible evidence disproving her claims [1][3].
The Macrons' legal team, represented by Clare Locke – a firm known for handling high-profile reputation cases – has accused Owens of mounting a "campaign of global humiliation." Despite offers from the Macron side to engage and reconcile through evidence and requests, Owens has refused, instead continuing to broadcast an eight-part podcast series titled "Becoming Brigitte" that promotes these conspiracy theories and mocks the Macrons [1][3].
Owens has publicly stated she will not retract the claims and accuses the Macrons of using the lawsuit as a "public relations strategy" rather than a genuine attempt to win in court. She also posits that any legal defeat might be due to corruption within the Delaware courts, referencing Hunter Biden as an anecdotal claim of political influence, though this is unsubstantiated [1][2].
The lawsuit, spanning over 200 pages, includes 22 counts and alleges that Owens's statements have caused the Macrons substantial economic damages and damaged their relationships with other government officials and potential political allies [1][2]. The Macrons' complaint also states that they are human beings and have the same feelings and the same hurt from these sorts of defamatory statements as anybody would [1].
For Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron, this lawsuit appears aimed at protecting their personal and political reputations from conspiracy-driven defamation. The public legal action underscores the seriousness with which the Macrons guard against misinformation, reflecting a proactive stance on reputation defense [1][2][4].
Owens' public profile remains controversial, notably among conservative audiences where her stance has gained attention. The lawsuit has reinforced her role as a polarizing figure who challenges mainstream narratives, though legal pressure may affect her broader credibility. No direct electoral or political office implications apply to Owens, as she is a commentator and podcaster rather than an elected official [1][2][4].
For the Macrons, while the lawsuit could rally supporters against baseless attacks, it also draws international attention to the bizarre conspiracy claims, which could generate mockery and diminish political capital amongst some audiences. However, given France’s political context and Macron’s status, the impact on their political careers is likely limited and overshadowed by the strong defense against defamation [1][2].
As of August 2025, the defamation lawsuit is ongoing with no final verdict reported. Owens remains defiant, continuing to propagate the disputed claims, while the Macrons seek damages and a legal remedy to halt what they consider a damaging global smear campaign. The lawsuit has spotlighted tensions between misinformation, free speech, and reputation protection on an international scale [1][2][3][4].
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/world/europe/macron-owens-lawsuit.html [2] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62334031 [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/candace-owens-faces-defamation-lawsuit-filed-french-president-emmanuel-macron-2025-07-30/ [4] https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/31/politics/candace-owens-emmanuel-macron-lawsuit/index.html
- Candace Owens' legal battle with Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron over defamation allegations continues to highlight the collision of free speech, misinformation, and reputation protection on an international scale.
- The Macrons, in their lawsuit against Candace Owens, argue that her continual propagation of baseless conspiracy theories about Brigitte Macron's identity politics have caused them severe economic damages and relationship strains, including with other government officials.
- Owens' refusal to retract her claims amid the lawsuit and her supplementary podcast series, titled "Becoming Brigitte," has solidified her image as a polarizing figure in the entertainment sector and among conservative audiences, who see her as challenging mainstream narratives.
- The Macrons' legal team, comprising Clare Locke, a reputed firm in high-profile reputation cases, has accused Owens of launching a global humiliation campaign, using falsehoods for personal fame and financial gains.
- As celebrities and politics increasingly intertwine in the realm of culture and general-news, the ongoing lawsuit and Owens' stance represent a test case for pushing the boundaries of acceptable speech and the role of cancel culture in shaping public opinion.
