French President Macron Files Defamation Suit Against US Influencer Over Wife Claims

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, have filed a defamation lawsuit in Delaware Superior Court against right-wing US commentator Candace Owens, accusing her of spreading false and malicious claims that Brigitte Macron was born male and is involved in various conspiracies. The Macrons allege Owens launched a campaign of 'global humiliation' and 'relentless bullying' to promote her podcast and grow her online audience, despite repeated demands to retract the statements. The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages and highlights the rare instance of a world leader pursuing such legal action internationally. Legal experts note that, as public figures, the Macrons must prove Owens acted with 'actual malice'—that she knowingly spread falsehoods or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. The case underscores growing concerns about misinformation amplified by social media and podcast platforms. Owens has not yet formally responded to the lawsuit.