What's happened
Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron have filed a defamation lawsuit in Delaware against US influencer Candace Owens, alleging false claims that Brigitte is transgender. The Macrons seek damages after Owens repeatedly spread false and damaging allegations, ignoring requests to retract her statements. Owens has claimed Brigitte Macron might fake her death to avoid legal consequences.
What's behind the headline?
The Macron lawsuit highlights the increasing reach of defamation cases involving social media influencers and political figures. Owens's claims, which have been repeatedly dismissed by the Macrons, exemplify how misinformation can escalate into legal disputes, especially when public figures feel their reputation is under attack. The case underscores the legal threshold of 'actual malice' in US defamation law, which requires proof that Owens knowingly spread falsehoods or acted with reckless disregard for truth. Owens's dismissive stance and claims of a 'public relations' strategy suggest she views her statements as protected speech, but the Macrons aim to hold her accountable for deliberate misinformation. This case could set a precedent for how social media speech is regulated when it involves false accusations against high-profile individuals, especially in the context of political and personal reputation. The outcome will likely influence future legal actions against online misinformation campaigns, emphasizing the importance of accountability in digital speech.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that the Macrons filed a 219-page defamation complaint in Delaware, seeking damages for Owens's repeated false claims about Brigitte Macron's gender. France 24 highlights that the lawsuit is a 'last resort' after Owens ignored multiple requests to retract her statements, which include claims of identity theft and incest. AP News notes that Owens dismissed the lawsuit as a 'public relations strategy' and claimed she was unaware of its filing, despite ongoing legal communications. All sources agree that the case marks a rare instance of a world leader suing an American influencer, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations and the legal implications of online misinformation. The coverage underscores the tension between free speech and accountability, illustrating how high-profile defamation suits are becoming more common in the digital age.
How we got here
The Macrons' legal action follows a year of attempts to address Owens's false claims, which allege that Brigitte Macron is transgender and has a secret past. The lawsuit describes Owens's series as spreading 'verifiably false and devastating lies,' including claims of identity theft and incest. The Macrons have maintained their relationship is lawful and have sought to stop the spread of these allegations through legal channels.
Go deeper
Common question
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What Are the Details of the Macron Family's Lawsuit Against U.S. Influencer Candace Owens?
The Macron family has taken legal action against U.S. influencer Candace Owens over false claims about Brigitte Macron's gender. This high-profile case raises questions about influencer accountability, international legal battles, and how public figures defend their reputation. Below, we explore the key details of the lawsuit, why it was filed now, and what it could mean for social media and defamation cases involving global figures.
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What Are Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron Suing Candace Owens For?
Recently, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron filed a high-profile defamation lawsuit against US influencer Candace Owens. The case centers around false claims made online that Brigitte Macron is transgender, which the Macron family strongly denies. This legal action raises important questions about online misinformation, free speech, and the boundaries of public figures' privacy. Below, we explore the details of this case and what it could mean for future legal battles involving public figures and social media personalities.
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Candace Amber Owens Farmer is an American conservative author, commentator, and political activist. Initially critical of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, Owens has become known for her increasingly pro-Trump activism as a black woman, in
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Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron is a French politician who has been President of France and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra since 14 May 2017.
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Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron (French: [bʁiʒit maʁi klod makʁɔ̃]; née Trogneux [tʁɔɲø], previously Auzière [ozjɛːʁ]; born 13 April 1953) is a French former teacher. She is the wife of Emmanuel Macron, who has served as President of France an
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.