The short version
- Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron have initiated a fresh legal action in Tennessee against US commentator Candace Owens.
- The complaint includes eighty-eight counts of defamation, alleging that Owens continues to spread false narratives about the first lady's gender history.
- This filing follows a previous Delaware case where jurisdiction was limited to Owens's corporate entities rather than her personally.
Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron have escalated their transatlantic legal dispute by filing a new defamation lawsuit against American podcaster Candace Owens in Tennessee. The complaint, submitted on November 4 in Nashville, marks a significant shift in strategy after an earlier attempt to sue Owens in Delaware resulted in a judicial ruling that limited the scope of liability to her media companies rather than her personally. By pursuing the case in Owens’s home state, the French couple aims to hold the commentator directly accountable for what they describe as persistent and damaging falsehoods.
The new filing contains eighty-eight counts alleging defamation, false light, and defamation by implication. These charges build upon the foundation of the initial lawsuit filed in July 2025, which targeted verifiably false statements made on Owens’s podcast and social media platforms. The Macrons’ legal team argues that despite the earlier jurisdictional setback, Owens has continued to amplify these claims, thereby necessitating a broader legal response that addresses her individual actions rather than just those of her business entities.
Central to the complaint are allegations that Owens has promoted the false narrative that Brigitte Macron was born male. The lawsuit details how Owens has repeatedly claimed that the first lady, who is seventy-three years old, was originally named Jean-Michel Trogneux—a name that actually belongs to her older brother—and that she committed identity theft to conceal a gender transition. The Macrons contend that these assertions are not merely incorrect but are part of a calculated effort to degrade their personal reputations and undermine their public standing.
Beyond the claims regarding Brigitte Macron’s identity, the lawsuit addresses other fabricated stories propagated by Owens. These include allegations that Emmanuel Macron’s election as French president was orchestrated through a CIA mind-control program and assertions that the couple are blood relatives engaged in incestuous relationships. The legal filing characterizes these narratives as outlandish fictions designed to inflame public opinion and generate profit through sensationalism rather than factual reporting.
The complaint specifically highlights an eight-part podcast series titled “Becoming Brigitte” as a primary vehicle for these defamatory statements. It alleges that Owens has used this platform, along with accompanying posts on X, to double down on her previous claims since the initial Delaware lawsuit was filed. The Macrons’ representatives stated that Owens had previously insisted that Tennessee was the appropriate venue for such legal proceedings, noting that the current filing honors that demand while expanding the scope of accountability.
Financial motives are cited as a driving force behind Owens’s continued dissemination of these claims. The lawsuit alleges that she has leveraged the controversy to sell merchandise mocking the Macrons and to collect donations based on her self-described reporting. A specific point of contention is a “Brigitte doll” featured in Owens’s videos, which the complaint describes as a grotesque figure caricaturing the first lady’s body. The filing suggests that the use of this prop indicates animus toward Macron’s perceived gender identity and sexuality.
The Macrons are seeking actual, presumed, and punitive damages, alongside a narrowly tailored injunction to prevent Owens from republishing defamatory statements. They argue that the campaign has subjected them to relentless global bullying, turning their private lives into fodder for profit-driven lies. The lawsuit emphasizes that the defamatory nature of the claims stems from the accusation that the Macrons have lied to France and the world for decades about Brigitte’s identity and committed crimes to conceal it.
In response to the new filing, Owens posted on X acknowledging the eighty-eight counts and expressing offense at the characterization of her doll as grotesque. She stated that the figure, referred to as Brigitte-Doll, has never pursued the limelight and indicated that no further statements would be made at this time. The case against her Delaware-registered companies remains pending, while this new action seeks to establish personal liability in a jurisdiction where Owens resides.
This legal development underscores the growing complexity of cross-border defamation cases involving digital media personalities. As online platforms enable the rapid spread of unverified claims, public figures are increasingly turning to domestic courts in the defendants’ home countries to seek redress. The outcome of this Tennessee case could set precedents for how personal liability is determined in transnational disputes over internet-based speech.
The Macrons’ legal team maintains that there is nothing shameful about being transgender or gay, clarifying that the issue lies in the false accusation of deception and criminal behavior. By framing the lawsuit around the integrity of their public service and personal history, they aim to counter what they describe as a campaign of global humiliation. The proceedings will likely continue to draw international attention as both sides navigate the legal implications of digital-age defamation.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US Politics↗Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron file new defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens
