French First Lady's Gender Conspiracy Sparks Legal Battle
French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron have reportedly taken the extraordinary step of filing a 22-count defamation lawsuit in Delaware against U.S. political influencer Candace Owens. The lawsuit targets Owens' claims that Brigitte Macron was allegedly assigned male at birth, a conspiracy theory Owens promoted in an eight-part podcast. What might sound like a bizarre tabloid tale is actually a high-stakes battle over truth, reputation, and the dangerous spread of disinformation in today's digital age.
A Surreal Conspiracy Gains Traction
The claim that Brigitte Macron, 72, was allegedly assigned male at birth is not new. According to The Times, it traces back to a French conspiracy theory that has lingered for years but recently found new life and a wider audience in the United States, thanks largely to Owens' YouTube channel, which boasts four million subscribers. Owens has amplified this narrative, reportedly dismissing the Macrons' legal action as an attempt to silence her and framing it as a political stunt. Yet, the Macrons U.S. lawyers argue that the falsehoods have grown beyond mere gossip, becoming a narrative "designed to inflame and degrade," with real-world consequences for their family's safety and dignity, according to The Daily Beast.
President Macron, 47, has been clear about why he and his wife felt compelled to act. Despite warnings from legal advisors about the so-called Streisand effect — where attempts to suppress information only make it more widespread — the Macrons decided they had no choice. The conspiracy attacks the identity of the first lady, a wife, mother, and grandmother, and Macron described the lawsuit as a necessary step to "defend his honour," according to The Times.
The Legal Battle in Delaware
The lawsuit, filed in Delaware Superior Court, accuses Owens of spreading "verifiably false and devastating lies" for notoriety and profit, according to the Macrons' U.S. legal team, as reported by The Daily Beast. It seeks punitive damages and a jury trial, emphasizing that Owens ignored repeated requests to retract her claims. The legal team alleges Owens "knew very well that she was using false news to cause damage, in the service of an ideology and with established connections with the far right," as reported by The Times.
Owens, however, has publicly doubled down on her claims, framing the lawsuit as an assault on her First Amendment rights and accusing the French government of censorship. She has even suggested that former President Donald Trump failed to defend her, despite her claims that he once told her Brigitte Macron "looks like a woman to me" and urged her to stop pushing the conspiracy, according to The Daily Beast.
Macron's Sharp Rebuke of Trump's Media Policies
In the same interview where Macron explained his reasons for suing Owens, he took a pointed jab at the Trump administration's approach to media access. Macron criticized the U.S. president's practice of excluding mainstream media outlets like the Associated Press, Reuters, and Bloomberg from certain White House events while granting access to right-wing influencers. Macron dismissed American claims that lawsuits like his were attempts to stifle free speech, saying, "Those who talk about this supposed freedom of speech are the people who ban journalists from the Oval Office. I don't accept that," as reported by The Times.
This critique highlights a broader tension between traditional journalism and the rise of influencer-driven media, where figures like Owens wield significant power to shape narratives, often with little accountability. Macron's lawsuit is as much about defending personal honor as it is about pushing back against the erosion of truth in public discourse.
The Broader Peril of Disinformation
While the conspiracy about Brigitte Macron's gender identity might seem absurd, the Macrons' legal action underscores a more serious issue: the real-world harm caused by unchecked disinformation. The lawsuit alleges that Owens' podcast and related content have led to "relentless bullying on a worldwide scale," exposing the Macrons to harassment and threats, as reported by The Daily Beast. This is not just a personal attack; it is a symptom of a wider problem where falsehoods spread rapidly online, fueled by ideological agendas and amplified by social media algorithms.
You might find it ironic that a French president is suing an American influencer over a claim that sounds like a plot from a tabloid novel. Yet, this spectacle reveals the dangerous intersection of politics, media, and identity in the digital era. The Macrons' decision to fight back legally sends a message that some lies cross a line from free speech into defamation and harassment.
What's at Stake?
The Macrons' lawsuit is ongoing, with no trial date set. It raises important questions about how public figures can protect themselves from damaging falsehoods without infringing on free speech rights. It also spotlights the growing influence of alt-right figures like Owens, who build brands on provocation and controversy, often at the expense of truth.
For you, the reader, this case is a reminder to be skeptical of sensational claims, especially those that target individuals' identities or personal lives. It also illustrates how the battle over truth is not just fought in courtrooms but in the court of public opinion, where misinformation can have lasting consequences.
The Irony and the Reality
There is a darkly comic element to this saga. Here is a president suing over a claim that his wife is a transgender man, a story so outlandish it could be dismissed as a joke. Yet, the consequences are anything but funny. The Macrons face a relentless campaign of harassment, and the lawsuit reveals the lengths to which public figures must go to defend their reputations in an age of viral conspiracy theories.
At the same time, the case exposes the fragility of truth in a media landscape dominated by influencers who blur the lines between fact and fiction. It is a cautionary tale about the power of disinformation to distort reality and damage lives.
As the Macrons pursue justice, the world watches a surreal drama unfold — one that is both a spectacle of modern media madness and a serious fight for truth and dignity.
You might chuckle at the absurdity of the claim, but don't underestimate the stakes. The Macron vs. Owens lawsuit is a front-line battle in the war against disinformation, a fight that affects us all.
References: Macron: Why I had to sue US influencer Candace Owens | Emmanuel Macron Drags Donald Trump Over Lawsuit Against MAGA Conspiracist Candace Owens
