Credits: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 2.0.
A presidential couple. An explosive web star. A rumor that wreaks havoc everywhere it goes. Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron are going on the offensive. They are suing Candace Owens, who needs no introduction. The accusation: transphobic rumors intended to cause harm. On social media, nothing has ever been allowed. This lawsuit is about more than honor. It is a direct battle between democracy and digital chaos. Who is in charge, who is lying, who is protecting whom? We explain.
The Presidential Couple Faces an Unprecedented Threat
Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron had never taken such a step before. On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, they filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States against highly influential American activist Candace Owens. This move is a direct response to one of the most viral rumors on social media: the baseless claim that Brigitte Macron was “born a man.” By choosing the United States, they are targeting the very heart of the phenomenon, where the impact was greatest.
Candace Owens, a major figure on the American web, has specialized in amplifying controversial content. She is a fervent supporter of Donald Trump and an influential figure on the American far right. She also has a perfect command of social media codes. Her Becoming Brigitte videos have racked up more than a billion views, ensuring the conspiracy theory’s spread worldwide. For several months, she has been advancing the claims of French influencer Xavier Poussard and the controversial book Becoming Brigitte. Their shared theory claims, without evidence, that Brigitte Macron is actually her brother, Jean-Michel Trogneux, under a different identity. Xavier Poussard often appeared with his face hidden on Égalité et Réconciliation, the controversial site run by Alain Soral. There, Candace Owens’s videos are broadcast, dubbed into French. On this site, the woman with fake hair is described as the “ideal woman,” with “Rihanna-like features.” With or without makeup?
Candace Owens, an Emblematic Figure of a New Era
Candace Owens is a major player in a media landscape profoundly transformed by the Internet. Her strategy relies on an aggressive use of digital virality. On X, YouTube, and Instagram, she brings together nearly 15 million followers. Each post amplifies her ideas and expands her influence. Thus, every scandal becomes a lever to grow her audience and her income.
Beyond simple commentary on current events, she methodically orchestrates online campaigns. Owens organizes live events, sells merchandise, and publicly stages the complaints filed against her. As soon as the French presidential couple’s lawsuit was announced, she reacted live: “Today, I was sued by France’s ‘first lady.’” Ostentatiously waving the lawsuit in front of her millions of followers, she immediately turned the legal attack to her advantage.
The Owens method blends provocation, marketing, and extreme political messaging. She sells sarcastic “Man of the Year” T-shirts mocking Brigitte Macron. Her business model is based on constantly exploiting media controversies.
The Macrons, Between Personal Resilience and Media Counterattack
Since 2021, Brigitte Macron has been subjected to an unprecedented media attack. The original rumor, born on obscure forums, spread through far-right relays. In France, the first lady had already sued Natacha Rey, who was responsible for the first viral video. However, the international scale the case has taken now calls for a broader response.
For the first time, Emmanuel Macron is officially joining his wife in legal action. This strategic choice reflects a profound shift. The presidential couple is now entrusting their defense to renowned American lawyer Thomas Clare, a well-known specialist in defamation law. They are seeking “exemplary damages” and are requesting a jury trial, a rare situation for a sitting head of state.
This decision pursues three main objectives. It solemnly underscores the seriousness of the accusations and exposes the workings of modern disinformation. It also sends a strong message to other political leaders targeted by similar campaigns.
A Risky Legal Battle in the United States
In the United States, freedom of expression enjoys broad protection under the First Amendment. To hope for a conviction, the Macrons must prove that Candace Owens acted with “actual malice”: show that she knew her statements were false or deliberately disregarded the truth. This legal standard makes the case especially delicate.
For her part, Owens presents herself as a journalist and whistleblower. Prepared for a long legal battle, she has substantial financial resources and a strong support network. The trial could thus last for years, ensuring the controversy remains constantly in the spotlight.
The financial stakes are significant. In the United States, damages in defamation cases can reach staggering amounts. However, beyond the financial aspect, this is about drawing a clear line against globalized disinformation.
Candace Owens: The Career of an Influential Provocateur
Born in 1989, Candace Owens began her media career with sharp criticisms of the Black Lives Matter movement. Her popularity skyrocketed with the election of Donald Trump and the Covid-19 pandemic, which she called a conspiracy. An outspoken climate skeptic, she does not hesitate to support extreme theories or controversial figures like Alex Jones.
Her approach is based on deliberate polarization. Owens uses social media to provoke outrage, fuel controversies, and generate revenue. Every scandal boosts her visibility and strengthens her influence.
The Macrons Face a Global Challenge
By taking a direct stand against the Owens rumor, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron are defending not only their personal honor but also that of French institutions. This unprecedented lawsuit highlights the current complexity of fighting disinformation. Watched around the world, this legal battle could mark a major turning point in how crises tied to fake news are handled.
This case reflects an era in which truth and lies are constantly intertwined. The upcoming trial will be a crucial test. It will determine democracies’ ability to protect the dignity of their representatives. It will also assess integrity in the face of digital excesses.
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