French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were seen arriving at the NATO Summit’s social dinner, while Candace Owens appeared on the set of her show ‘Candace’ on April 19, 2022. (Images: Global News / Getty Images)
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, have filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States. They accuse American media figure Candace Owens of spreading harmful and false claims about their personal lives.
The lawsuit, filed in Delaware, includes 22 counts. It states that Owens made up shocking lies to grow her podcast audience. The Macrons say these claims caused them public shame and emotional pain.
Serious Accusations Spark Legal Battle
According to the complaint, Owens falsely claimed Brigitte Macron was born male and named Jean-Michel Trogneux — the name of her real brother. The lawsuit also says Owens suggested that the couple are blood relatives, linked to a mind-control program, and guilty of crimes like fraud and identity theft.
The Macrons described Owens' actions as a “campaign of global humiliation.” They say her false claims twisted their story into a disturbing narrative that hurt their image worldwide.
The Macrons’ Real-Life Love Story
Brigitte met Emmanuel Macron in 1993 while teaching at his school. At the time, she was a 39-year-old married mother of three. Macron, only 15 then, later moved to Paris but stayed in touch with her.
Eventually, Brigitte divorced her husband and moved to Paris. The couple married in 2007. Their long-time love story became public when Macron entered politics.
Owens Doubles Down With Podcast Claims
In January, Owens released an eight-part podcast series titled Becoming Brigitte. In it, she claimed Brigitte had groomed Macron from a young age. Owens said she believed Macron was secretly gay and that Brigitte was born male.
She stood by these statements, saying, “I will stake my entire professional career on all of those points.”
Macrons Say Lies Have Caused Deep Harm
The lawsuit says Owens used the couple’s personal life for her own benefit. They believe she wanted to gain attention by spreading shocking falsehoods.
"Owens has dissected their appearance, marriage, and family," the complaint says. "She turned it into a cruel story meant to anger and degrade."
The Macrons said the lies have made their lives very difficult. They feel watched and judged whenever they step outside, fearing people believe the false claims.
Seeking Justice in Court
The French couple is asking the court for financial damages. They want to stop Owens from continuing the spread of false information. They also demand a jury trial to help clear their names.
The complaint calls Owens an “independent investigative journalist” who spreads conspiracy theories. It claims she shares misleading information just to stir controversy and grow her audience.
In response to the lawsuit, Owens posted a photo of the Macrons on Instagram, writing, “I will be coming for this wig today. Stay tuned.”
