Macron sues Candace Owens for defamation over gender conspiracy theory

July 24, 2025 – 8:18 PM

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron have filed a defamation lawsuit in Delaware against U.S. conservative commentator Candace Owens, accusing her of spreading a baseless conspiracy theory about Brigitte Macron’s gender.

The couple’s legal team described the lawsuit as a “last resort” after a year of unsuccessful efforts to stop Owens from promoting the false claim online.

Why the Macrons are suing Candace Owens

Filed this week in a Delaware court, the 219-page complaint accuses Owens of repeatedly suggesting Brigitte Macron was born male — a conspiracy that has circulated online since 2021 and was repeatedly amplified by Owens in recent months.

Their attorney, Tom Clare, said the couple tried several times to contact Owens and request a retraction, only to be mocked in response.

“Each time we reached out, she mocked the Macrons,” Clare told CNN. “Enough is enough — it was time to hold her accountable.”

The lawsuit states there is extensive evidence proving Brigitte Macron was born female and has always identified as a woman.

Who’s involved in the case

• Emmanuel Macron, 47, has been President of France since 2017.
• Brigitte Macron, 72, is a former high school teacher and France’s First Lady.
• Candace Owens, a conservative media figure and influencer with millions of followers, is known for making controversial statements on social media and her podcast.

The Macrons have long been public figures, and their relationship — including a 25-year age difference — has drawn media attention for decades. However, the gender-based rumor crossed a line, their legal team argues.

Global implications for online defamation

The case has sparked debate about defamation in the digital age, especially when it involves international public figures.

Owens’ audience extends beyond the U.S., and the Macrons’ lawsuit highlights how damaging viral misinformation can be — even across borders.

Tom Clare said the couple is seeking significant damages, particularly if Owens continues to push the false claims.

“If she continues to double down before the trial, it will be a substantial award,” Clare said.

So far, Owens has not issued a public response to the lawsuit.

Their personal history under the spotlight again

The Macrons’ relationship began in the early 1990s, when Brigitte was a teacher and Emmanuel was a student at the same school in Amiens, France. Despite controversy and criticism at the time, the two stayed in contact and eventually married in 2007.

Their unique story has fascinated the French and global press for years — but it’s also made them frequent targets for mockery and conspiracy theories, particularly online.

A viral moment fueled more speculation

In May, the couple went viral when a video surfaced of Brigitte Macron gently pushing Emmanuel’s face as they stepped off a plane during a Southeast Asia trip. The clip was widely shared and sparked mockery and speculation about their relationship.

President Macron later clarified that it was just light teasing between husband and wife:

“We are squabbling and joking,” he told reporters. “It was blown out of proportion into a sort of geo-planetary catastrophe.”

Still, the video reignited interest in the couple — and fueled false claims like the one Owens is accused of spreading.

What happens next?

If the lawsuit proceeds to trial, the Macrons plan to submit documented proof that Owens’ comments were knowingly false and harmful. Their legal team says the case may set a precedent for how global leaders fight cross-border defamation and online misinformation.

The case also raises questions about free speech versus factual harm, especially when influencers use social media platforms to spread conspiracy theories without consequence.

Want more stories like this? Check out our World News or Media & Law sections for more updates on international legal battles and digital misinformation.

Source: AP News – France’s first couple sue Candace Owens for defamation over claims that Brigitte Macron is a man