French President Macron Sues US Influencer Owens for Defamation

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have filed a defamation lawsuit against right-wing influencer Candace Owens in the US state of Delaware. The lawsuit accuses Owens of spreading defamatory claims that Mrs. Macron was born male.

Owens has repeatedly made these claims on her podcast and social media platforms, stating that she believes Mrs. Macron is actually a man. Despite requests for a retraction, Owens has stood by her allegations, referring to the lawsuit as "goofy" and a publicity stunt by the Macrons.

The conspiracy theory suggesting that Mrs. Macron was born male under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux has circulated in fringe online communities for years. Owens, with a large following, has amplified this theory and even released a video series titled Becoming Brigitte earlier this year.

In response to Owens' refusal to retract her claims, the Macrons decided to pursue legal action, stating that Owens' defamation campaign was intended to harass and cause them pain. The lawsuit alleges that Owens ignored evidence disproving her claims and instead promoted conspiracy theories and defamatory statements.

Owens, known for her work with conservative organizations and media outlets, has faced criticism for spreading rumors and conspiracy theories on various topics. The lawsuit also targets her Delaware-based companies and seeks unspecified damages.

To succeed in the lawsuit, the Macrons will need to prove "actual malice," showing that Owens knowingly spread false information. A French court previously found two women guilty of libel for similar claims about Brigitte Macron, but the decision was overturned on appeal.