French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, have filed a defamation lawsuit in Delaware Superior Court against conservative commentator Candace Owens.
The lawsuit stems from Owens’ claims that Brigitte Macron was born a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux, a statement she made during her podcast series “Becoming Brigitte.”
The Macrons allege that Owens’ accusations are false, harmful, and defamatory, accusing her of waging a “global campaign of humiliation” to increase her own notoriety
They are seeking unspecified damages and a jury trial to address the defamatory remarks
In response, Owens has denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit an attempt to suppress her First Amendment rights.
Owens has vowed to continue her public stance and is prepared to face the legal proceedings.
This legal action is particularly notable because it marks a rare instance of a sitting world leader taking legal action against a public figure in the United States.
The case underscores the growing global impact of misinformation and the legal challenges public figures face in addressing harmful claims.
The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for how defamation cases involving international public figures are handled, especially when the claims are made across borders.
As the case moves forward, it will likely draw attention to the intersection of media, politics, and the legal system in addressing online harm.