Macron Sues Right-Wing Podcaster Candace Owens

Legal Action Taken by French President and First Lady Against Right-Wing Podcaster

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, have taken legal action against right-wing podcast host Candace Owens. The move comes after Owens made a series of false claims about the first lady, including allegations that she was born a man. This lawsuit was filed in Delaware Superior Court and involves 22 counts, seeking unspecified damages from Owens.

The Macrons’ complaint highlights Owens' eight-part podcast series, which spread numerous unfounded allegations about the couple. These include claims that Brigitte Macron stole another person’s identity and transitioned to a woman. The Macrons stated that Owens ignored three separate requests for retractions, with the last one sent on July 1. Despite these demands, she continued to promote what they described as “outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions.”

In the lawsuit, the Macrons emphasized that the claims are demonstrably false and that Owens was aware of their falsehood when she published them. They argued that her actions were not motivated by a pursuit of truth but rather by a desire for fame and attention. The couple expressed frustration over Owens’ refusal to retract the statements, even after multiple opportunities to do so.

“This campaign of defamation was plainly designed to harass and cause pain to us and our families,” the Macrons said in a statement. “We gave her every opportunity to back away from these claims, but she refused. It is our earnest hope that this lawsuit will set the record straight and end this campaign of defamation once and for all.”

Owens responded to the lawsuit by claiming it was an attempt by a foreign government to suppress free speech. She criticized the Macrons for not offering a comment and instead resorting to legal action. Owens described the lawsuit as a public relations strategy and refused to back down from her claims.

During a live stream on YouTube, Owens referenced the movie "Gladiator," saying, “Are you not entertained?” as she discussed the legal filing. She claimed that the lawsuit contained false attributions and misrepresented her statements. Owens also accused the Macrons of attempting to bully her into silence.

The lawsuit accuses Owens of promoting misinformation and spreading conspiracy theories. It states that her podcast, “Becoming Brigitte,” and related posts on X were created with reckless disregard for the truth. The Macrons argue that these lies have caused significant harm and subjected them to a global campaign of humiliation.

Owens’ claims about Brigitte Macron began around March 2021 and gained traction when she joined The Daily Wire, a conservative media outlet co-founded by Ben Shapiro. She was later fired from the outlet in March 2024. After her termination, Owens launched her own podcast called “Candace” in June 2024, continuing to push the same allegations.

The Macrons sent their first retraction demand to Owens in December 2024, following which she released the multi-part podcast series. The third and final retraction request was sent earlier this month. The lawsuit alleges that Owens knew her statements were false and acted with reckless disregard for the truth.

According to defamation law, public figures must prove actual malice to win a case, meaning the defendant either knew the statement was false or acted with reckless disregard for its falsity. The Macrons claim that Owens had a financial motive for continuing to spread the allegations, as her podcast was monetized and used to solicit contributions and promote subscriptions.

Tom Clare, who represents the Macrons, described the situation as a “clear-cut case of defamation.” The legal battle highlights the ongoing tension between public figures and media personalities, as well as the broader implications of spreading false information.