Macron and Brigitte File Defamation Suit Against Candace Owens

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, have taken legal action against hard-right influencer Candace Owens in response to her repeated claims that Brigitte was assigned male at birth. In an interview with Paris Match published on October 24, 2023, Macron stated that the situation had escalated to a point where they felt compelled to defend the truth.

The couple filed a defamation lawsuit in Delaware last month, asserting that Owens propagated falsehoods to enhance her public profile and generate income. Macron emphasized the importance of respecting the truth, stating, “It’s a question of having the truth respected.” The lawsuit alleges that Owens utilized her platform to promote damaging conspiracy theories concerning the Macrons and their relationship, all of which they have firmly denied.

In her eight-part podcast series, titled “Becoming Brigitte,” Owens has made various assertions about the couple, leading to significant controversy. Macron criticized Owens, declaring, “[Owens] is someone who knew very well that she was spreading false information and did so with the aim of causing harm, in the service of an ideology and with established connections to far-right leaders.”

Initially, Macron and his wife were advised against pursuing legal action when these allegations first surfaced in France, as it could draw more attention to the issue—a phenomenon known as the Streisand effect. However, as the rumors gained traction in the United States, they determined that the matter warranted action.

After news of the lawsuit broke, a spokesperson for Owens criticized the move as a “foreign government attacking the First Amendment rights of an American independent journalist.” Macron countered this assertion by stating that freedom of speech does not shield Owens from the consequences of disseminating harmful misinformation.

In a broader critique, Macron also referenced the MAGA movement, stating, “Those talking about so-called freedom of speech are the same ones banning reporters from the Oval Office.” This statement referred to the White House’s decision to restrict access for reporters from the Associated Press following their coverage of former President Donald Trump renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

The legal battle raises questions about the intersection of free speech, misinformation, and personal accountability, particularly as it unfolds on an international stage. The Macrons’ decision to pursue this lawsuit underscores their commitment to challenging false narratives that threaten their reputation.