Wait. You probably saw the headlines back in 2024 or 2025. Maybe you ignored them because they sounded too bizarre to be real. But the legal war between French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte, and American commentator Candace Owens is still burning. Honestly, it’s one of the weirdest intersections of international diplomacy and internet culture we've ever seen.
The whole thing kicked off when Candace Owens basically staked her reputation on a wild claim. She said Brigitte Macron was born a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux. Sounds like a fringe theory? It was. Until Owens brought it to her millions of followers.
What Really Happened With the Candace Owens Macron Lawsuit
The actual candace owens macron lawsuit was filed in Delaware in July 2025. It wasn't just a "stop talking about us" letter. It was a 219-page hammer. The Macrons didn't just sue for defamation; they alleged a coordinated campaign of "verifiably false and devastating lies."
Why Delaware?
Because that’s where Candace Owens LLC is registered. The Macrons are playing by American legal rules to go after an American platform. They’ve even offered to bring "scientific proof" to court. Imagine the First Lady of France having to submit DNA or medical records to a US judge just to prove she’s a woman. That's the level of chaos we're at.
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The lawsuit lists 22 separate counts. It targets Owens, her company, and GeorgeTom Inc. The Macrons are seeking millions in damages. They claim Owens didn't just make a mistake; she ignored mountains of evidence to keep the "Becoming Brigitte" series alive for clicks and cash.
The French Connection and Recent Convictions
Just a few weeks ago, in early January 2026, a Paris court actually convicted ten people for cyberbullying Brigitte Macron over these exact same claims. These weren't famous pundits. They were everyday people—a teacher, a gallery owner, a property developer.
They got suspended prison sentences. They have to pay fines. They even have to attend "awareness courses" about online hate.
Candace’s reaction? She doubled down.
On X (formerly Twitter), she called the French legal system "psychopathic." She argued that France is just using "cyber-bullying laws" to hide the truth. She’s framing her own US case as the "last stand" for free speech.
It's a classic clash of cultures. In France, you can't just say whatever you want if it harms someone's "dignity." In the US, the First Amendment makes it incredibly hard for public figures like the Macrons to win a defamation suit. They have to prove "actual malice." They have to prove Candace knew she was lying or was incredibly reckless.
Why This Case Is Different From Other Celeb Feuds
Most people get this wrong: they think it’s just about gender. It’s not.
The lawsuit includes allegations of:
- Incest (claiming the Macrons are blood relatives).
- Identity theft (stunning claims about Brigitte's brother).
- Mind control (linking the President to MKUltra).
- Fraud and abuse of power.
It’s a total teardown of their entire life story. The Macrons' daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, even testified in the French version of these trials. She talked about the "deterioration" of her mother's health. The family is clearly exhausted.
Owens says she's an "investigative journalist." The Macrons say she’s a "bully for profit."
The Real Identity of Jean-Michel Trogneux
Let's clear up the "Jean-Michel" thing because it’s the core of the candace owens macron lawsuit. Jean-Michel Trogneux is a real person. He’s Brigitte’s older brother. He’s 80 years old and lives in Amiens, France.
The French chocolate family (Trogneux is famous for its macarons, ironically) has produced birth certificates and family photos. For the conspiracy theorists, those are all "fakes" created by the "Deep State." For the courts, they are legal documents.
What Happens Next in the Delaware Court?
Right now, the case is in the "Motion to Dismiss" phase. Owens’ lawyers are trying to get the whole thing thrown out. They argue that as public figures, the Macrons have to expect some wild criticism.
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If the judge allows it to proceed to discovery?
Everything comes out. Emails, text messages, internal notes from Owens’ team. We might see the Macrons sitting for depositions. It would be a media circus unlike anything Delaware has ever seen.
Actionable Insights for Following This Case:
- Watch the Discovery Phase: If the Delaware judge denies the motion to dismiss, the "discovery" phase will likely reveal whether Owens had any internal doubts about the story before publishing.
- Differentiate Jurisdictions: Don't confuse the Paris convictions with the US lawsuit. The French rulings have zero legal weight in Delaware, but they show the Macrons' aggressive legal strategy.
- Check the Sources: Owens relies heavily on a French writer named Xavier Poussard. Tracking his credibility is key to understanding her defense.
- Monitor the "Actual Malice" Standard: For the Macrons to win, they must prove Owens acted with "reckless disregard for the truth." This is the highest hurdle in American law.
This isn't just a gossip story anymore. It's a test of whether international leaders can use US courts to silence American commentators, or whether those commentators can be held liable for theories that start in the dark corners of the web.
The Delaware court docket for Case ID N25C-07-194 is the place to watch. The next few months will decide if this ends in a quiet settlement or a trial that defines the limits of digital speech in 2026.