You’ve probably seen the headlines. Maybe you caught a snippet on X or a clip from a podcast. The saga involving Candace Owens and Brigitte Macron has officially crossed the line from internet fringe theory to a massive, high-stakes legal showdown in the United States.
It's weird. It’s loud. And frankly, it’s a mess.
In July 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron did something unprecedented. They filed a massive defamation lawsuit in a Delaware court against Candace Owens. Why Delaware? Because that's where Owens' business entities, including GeorgeTom, Inc., are incorporated. This isn't just about a "mean tweet" anymore. We are talking about a 219-page complaint that accuses Owens of a "campaign of global humiliation."
The "Becoming Brigitte" Drama Explained
The core of the dispute goes back to early 2024. Candace Owens, known for her sharp-tongued conservative commentary, decided to go all-in on a theory that has circulated in the darker corners of the French internet for years. Basically, the claim is that Brigitte Macron was born a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux.
Owens didn't just mention it; she made it a centerpiece of her brand.
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She launched a series titled "Becoming Brigitte." She told her millions of followers that she would "stake her entire professional reputation" on the idea that Brigitte is, in fact, a man. For most people, this sounds like a script for a tabloid movie. But for the Macrons, it was the final straw in a decade of being dogged by personal attacks.
The lawsuit alleges that Owens ignored actual evidence—like birth certificates and the fact that Jean-Michel Trogneux is literally Brigitte’s older brother—in favor of "grotesque narratives" designed to drive clicks and subscriptions. Honestly, the scale of the legal paperwork is staggering. The Macrons aren't just asking for a retraction; they are seeking "substantial" damages.
Why the Macrons are Fighting Back Now
You might wonder why a world leader cares what a podcaster in Tennessee says. It's about the "cumulative effect." In France, the government has been cracking down on what they call "cyber-harassment."
Just this month, in January 2026, a Paris court convicted 10 people for bullying the First Lady online. We’re talking about actual jail time—one man got six months, and others got suspended sentences. The judge in that case, Thierry Donard, was blunt. He called the comments "malicious, degrading and insulting."
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The French Legal Reality vs. American Free Speech
- France: They have strict cyberbullying and "insult" laws. If you say something that harms someone's dignity, you're in trouble.
- USA: Here, the First Amendment is king. For a public figure like Brigitte Macron to win a defamation case, she has to prove "actual malice."
- The Clash: Owens argues that the lawsuit is an "obvious and desperate PR strategy" and an attack on American free speech.
The Macrons’ lawyer, Tom Clare, says they tried to play nice. They reportedly spent a year trying to get Owens to retract the statements before filing the suit. Owens' response? She doubled down. She recently posted on X that the convictions in France were just a way to "deceive the public" and that "Brigitte is dangerous."
The Scientific Evidence Strategy
This is where it gets really bizarre. To win the U.S. case, the Macrons have indicated they are willing to submit scientific and photographic evidence to the court to prove Brigitte's biological sex. Imagine a sitting world leader having to file DNA or medical records in a Delaware court because of a podcast. It's a surreal moment in modern political history.
The lawsuit also targets other claims Owens reportedly amplified, including wild theories about MKUltra mind control and that the Macrons are actually blood relatives. It’s heavy stuff. Owens’ legal team, meanwhile, has filed motions to dismiss, arguing the case shouldn't even be in Delaware and that her speech is protected.
What Happens Next for Candace and Brigitte?
This isn't ending anytime soon. Owens has already announced she’s bringing back her "Becoming Brigitte" series later this year. She views herself as a martyr for free speech, while the Macrons view her as a "grifter" profiting off of harassment.
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If this goes to trial, it will be one of the most-watched defamation cases since Depp v. Heard. It’s a collision of French privacy expectations and American "anything goes" internet culture.
What you should watch for in the coming months:
- The Discovery Phase: Will Brigitte Macron actually have to sit for a deposition?
- The Word Limits: Lawyers are already arguing about how many words they can use in their briefs.
- The YouTube Factor: Will Owens’ channel (with over 5 million subscribers) face platform-level consequences if she loses?
The reality is that Candace Owens and Brigitte Macron are now locked in a legal "war of attrition." Whether you see it as a fight for truth or a fight for the right to be wrong, it’s a case that will likely redefine how we handle international defamation in the age of the influencer.
Practical Insight: If you're following this, look for the actual court filings in Delaware (Case ID: N25C-07-194). Don't rely on the "he-said-she-said" of social media. The real story is in the evidence being submitted—or the lack thereof. Follow the updates on the motion to dismiss to see if this even makes it to a jury.