French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, have filed an unprecedented lawsuit in the United States against Candace Owens, a political commentator, influencer, and pro-Donald Trump conservative activist. The complaint, filed in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware, accuses Owens of spreading a series of “absurd, defamatory, and completely fictitious” claims about the French First Lady.
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Candace Owens claimed that Brigitte Macron was born male, under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux—the real name of Brigitte’s older brother—and alleged that Emmanuel Macron and his wife are related by blood. The lawsuit describes these statements as a “global campaign of humiliation” aimed at attracting more followers to her podcast, a series titled Becoming Brigitte, consisting of eight episodes.
What did Candace Owens say about Brigitte Macron, the French President’s wife?
Candace Owens, a prominent figure of the American MAGA conservative movement and known for her support of Donald Trump, has been accused of spreading false information across multiple platforms. According to the lawsuit, the influencer claimed that Brigitte Macron was not only born male but also assumed her sister’s identity after her death, based on the rumor that Brigitte is actually Jean-Michel Trogneux.
Owens has also promoted even more extravagant theories, such as the French President being the product of a CIA experiment or part of a “government mind control program.” These claims, which began circulating in 2021 via an esoteric YouTube channel called Médiumnisation, have been described by the Macrons’ legal team as “invasive, dehumanizing, and deeply unjust.”
What is the origin of the false claim about Brigitte Macron?
It all started in France when Amandine Roy, a self-proclaimed psychic, interviewed Natasha Rey on her YouTube channel. Rey, who claimed to be a journalist, stated that she had conducted an investigation that led her to conclude that Brigitte Macron was actually her brother Jean-Michel Trogneux. The interview, filled with conspiracy theories, included claims about plastic surgeries, children who were allegedly not hers, and personal family documents.
The two-hour-long interview went viral and was widely shared on social media, fueled by far-right accounts. Brigitte Macron filed a lawsuit in France against both women and won in the first instance. However, an appeals court overturned the decision, arguing that the defendants acted in good faith. The case is still under review by the French Supreme Court.
What legal consequences could this case have for Candace Owens?
The lawsuit in the U.S. is an unusual move by a sitting head of state deciding to face a defamation case in court. The legal filing includes 22 counts and seeks an unspecified amount in compensatory and punitive damages. If the case proceeds, both Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron would need to travel to the United States to testify, and the case would be heard by a jury.
One of the main challenges for the Macrons will be meeting the U.S. legal standard of proving “actual malice.” This means they must demonstrate that Owens knew her statements were false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
Who is Candace Owens?
Candace Owens was born in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1989, and has become a polarizing figure in American politics. Raised by her grandparents after her parents’ divorce, she briefly studied journalism before dropping out of college. Her career began with initiatives such as Social Autopsy, a controversial website that aimed to publicly expose online bullies. The project was criticized by both conservatives and progressives and was never launched.
Initially holding progressive views—including writing articles against the Tea Party and Donald Trump—Owens made a radical shift toward conservatism following the failure of her website. Since 2017, she has been a staunch Trump supporter and a fierce critic of Black Lives Matter and the Democratic Party. Between 2017 and 2019, she worked as communications director for Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization.
In 2024, Owens formally converted to Catholicism and remains a prominent figure in right-wing media. Her ability to provoke, stir controversy, and draw large audiences has helped her become one of the most influential voices in conservative circles in the United States.
What is Candace Owens’ net worth?
Candace Owens is an American conservative commentator and political activist with an estimated net worth of $5 million, according to the website Celebrity Net Worth.
What impact could this lawsuit have on the Macrons’ public image?
For the Macrons, this lawsuit represents more than a legal action—it is a communication and reputation strategy. Throughout his presidency, Emmanuel Macron has persistently fought back against rumors that damage his credibility, from drug use allegations to speculation about his private life. However, the conspiracy theories about Brigitte Macron’s identity have been the most viral and persistent, causing personal and media distress.
Every time the couple appears in public, they do so knowing that many people have heard—and some believe—the slander. “It is deeply unjust,” the legal complaint states.