French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, are preparing to present scientific proofs and photographs in a United States courtroom. Their goal is clear: to definitively show that Brigitte Macron is a woman. This unusual step comes as they pursue a defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens, a prominent right-wing influencer. Owens is accused of spreading a baseless conspiracy theory online. This theory claims that France’s First Lady was born male.
Tom Clare, the Macrons’ lawyer, recently spoke with the BBC. He confirmed that his clients have sued Owens in the US. They plan to bring forward various pieces of evidence. These documents will prove that Owens’ claims are completely false. Mr. Clare described the situation as deeply upsetting for Mrs. Macron. He added that it has become a distraction for President Macron himself.
“This matter causes incredible discomfort,” Mr. Clare explained. “You have to prove yourself. You must present this kind of evidence publicly.” He further stated that Brigitte Macron is ready to do everything needed to correct this misunderstanding. She will show the court evidence. This includes photos from her pregnancies and moments of raising her children.
The false accusation about Brigitte Macron’s gender first appeared in a video from French bloggers in 2021. Candace Owens then amplified these claims. Owens is a former commentator for the conservative news outlet Daily Wire. She has millions of followers. In March 2024, she even stated she would “stake her entire career” on the accuracy of her claims.
In July, the Macron family officially filed their lawsuit against Ms. Owens in a US court. They accuse her of “ignoring all credible evidence” that disproves her statements. They also allege she continued to “promote a demonstrably defamatory conspiracy theory.”
President Emmanuel Macron spoke to the French magazine Paris Match in August. He explained why they chose to take legal action. “This is about defending my honor!” he declared. He called the claims “absurd.” Macron believes Owens knew the information was false. He suggests she acted with intent to cause harm. He also links her actions to certain ideologies and strong ties with far-right leaders.
Owens’ legal team has asked the court to dismiss the case. They argue that Delaware is not the right place for the lawsuit. They state her business is not registered in that state. Her lawyers claim that fighting the case there would lead to “significant financial and operational difficulties.”
In the United States, defamation lawsuits involving public figures are complex. The person suing must prove “actual malice.” This means showing the defendant either knew the information was false or acted with a severe disregard for the truth.
The Macron family previously won defamation cases in France. These were against the French bloggers Amandine Roy and Natacha Rey in 2024. However, an appeals court overturned that ruling in 2025. The court cited freedom of expression as its reason. The Macrons are currently appealing this latest decision.
Source: BBC