French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, have filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States against American conservative media personality, Candace Owens, over claims that France’s First Lady was born male.
The suit, lodged on Wednesday in the Delaware Superior Court, accuses Owens of orchestrating a sustained campaign of “global humiliation” and “relentless bullying” through repeated false claims about Brigitte Macron’s gender identity.
According to the 22-count civil complaint, Owens has publicly and persistently alleged that Brigitte Macron, 72, is a transgender woman who was originally named Jean-Michel Trogneux — the actual name of Brigitte’s older brother. The Macrons argue these claims have caused them severe emotional distress and reputational harm.
“Every time the Macrons leave their home, they do so knowing that countless people have heard, and many believe, these vile fabrications,” the lawsuit stated, citing reports by Reuters. “It is invasive, dehumanizing, and deeply unjust.”
The couple further allege that Owens deliberately spread the “salacious lies” to boost her podcast and grow what they described as a “frenzied” online following.
While the amount of damages being sought was not specified, the suit demands both compensatory and punitive damages. It is a rare move by a sitting world leader to pursue a defamation case in a foreign court, particularly under U.S. legal standards, which require public figures to prove “actual malice” — that is, that the accused knowingly spread falsehoods or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
Owens, a prominent figure in American conservative circles, has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit.
Rumors about Brigitte Macron’s gender have circulated in far-right media and conspiracy forums for years but have never been substantiated. The Macrons’ decision to go to court suggests they now view Owens’ amplification of these claims as a significant and damaging escalation.
Legal experts suggest the case may test the limits of defamation law in the digital age — particularly concerning the accountability of online influencers operating beyond national borders.
