Macrons File New Tennessee Defamation Lawsuit Against Candace Owens
The French presidential couple targets the American podcaster over persistent, false gender identity claims.
1New Legal Action Initiated
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, filed a new defamation lawsuit in a Tennessee federal court. This legal action targets American conservative podcaster Candace Owens. The couple alleges that Owens continues to spread false claims regarding Brigitte Macron's gender identity to generate profit and notoriety for her independent media platform.
2Escalation After Delaware Ruling
This filing follows a legal setback in Delaware, where a judge dismissed the Macrons' initial 2025 case against Owens as an individual due to jurisdictional issues. While proceedings against her companies remain active in Delaware, the new Tennessee complaint specifically addresses Owens' continued dissemination of these claims after the initial litigation began.
3Profit Motives and Allegations
The 411-page complaint asserts that Owens has used the false narrative to sell merchandise and solicit donations. The Macrons argue that Owens is not merely reporting but actively expanding her lies to monetize the controversy. They claim she has unequivocally doubled down on her statements despite the ongoing legal pressure from France.
4Defining the Defamatory Nature
The lawsuit clarifies that being transgender is not inherently shameful or defamatory. Instead, the defamation centers on the accusation that the Macrons have spent decades deceiving the public and committing crimes to conceal Brigitte Macron's identity. The couple maintains these claims are demonstrably false and constitute a campaign of global humiliation.
5Origins of the False Narrative
The conspiracy theory alleging Brigitte Macron was born a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux first surfaced in 2017. While it circulated on French social media for years, it gained significant international traction in March 2024. Candace Owens amplified these claims globally through a dedicated video series titled 'Becoming Brigitte' on her platform.
6Previous Legal Precedents in France
Brigitte Macron has previously sought legal recourse within France to combat these rumors. In September 2024, two women were convicted for spreading false claims after posting a YouTube video in December 2021. This domestic legal history highlights the couple's long-standing effort to suppress misinformation regarding their private lives and identities.
7Owens' Public Response
Candace Owens acknowledged the new lawsuit on the social media platform X. She confirmed that the Macrons have indeed filed a new set of claims against her in Tennessee. Owens resides in the state, which provides the necessary jurisdictional basis for the couple to pursue this specific federal litigation against her personally.
8Implications for Digital Accountability
The case underscores the challenges of addressing cross-border defamation in the age of independent digital media. By targeting the financial incentives behind the content, the Macrons are testing the limits of liability for influencers. The outcome will likely influence how public figures handle misinformation campaigns originating from foreign-based social media personalities.