Introduction to the Case
Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte plan to present photographic and scientific evidence to a US court to prove that Ms. Macron is a woman. Her lawyer says that the French President and Ms. Macron will present the documentation in a defamation case against right-wing influencer Candace Owens, who has promoted the conviction that Brigitte Macron was born a man.
Background of the Allegations
Ms. Owens’ lawyers replied with an application to dismiss the claim. Tom Clare, the lawyer representing the Macrons, said Ms. Macron found the claims "incredibly annoying" and they were a "distraction" for the French president. Mr. Clare stated that there would be "expert statements that will come out that will be scientifically inherent", and although he would not reveal what this evidence is at this phase, he said that the couple was ready to "completely and specifically" demonstrate "that the accusations are wrong."
The Macrons’ Response
"It is incredibly annoying to believe that they have to expose themselves to promote this kind of evidence," Mr. Clare said. "It is a process that she has to expose herself in a very public way. But she is ready to do this. It is determined to do what is necessary to make the record clear. If this inconvenience and the discomfort that it has to open up in this way, it is as necessary to set a record and stop it, it is 100% willing to meet this burden."
Evidence and Testimony
When asked whether the Macrons would present pictures of Brigitte during pregnancy and raising their children, Clare said that they existed and would be presented to court where there are rules and standards. Ms. Owens, a former commentator for conservative US outlet Daily Wire, who has millions of followers on social media, has repeatedly applied her view that Brigitte Macron is a man. In March 2024, she claimed that she would stake her "entire professional reputation" on the claim.
The Claim’s Origins and Legal Proceedings
The claim was made in online rooms of fringe, especially in a YouTube video from 2021 by French bloggers Amandine Roy and Natacha Rey. The Macrons initially won a defamation case in France against Roy and Rey in 2024, but this decision was lifted in 2025 due to freedom of expression, not on the basis of the truth. The Macrons reject the decision. In July, the Macrons filed a lawsuit against Ms. Owens in the United States. It is claimed that she has disregarded all credible evidence that refutes her claim in favor of platforms of well-known conspiracy theorists and proven defamers.
Legal Challenges
In cases of American defamation against public figures, the plaintiffs have to prove "actual malice" – that the accused knowingly distributed false information or acted with reckless disregard for truth. Ms. Owens’ lawyers reacted to the lawsuit of the Macrons with an application for dismissal and argue that the case should not have been submitted in Delaware because she says that it does not pertain to her business that was incorporated in the state. They claim that forcing them to defend the case in Delaware would lead to "considerable financial and operational difficulties."
Conclusion
Emmanuel Macron explained to the French magazine Paris Match why they had chosen to take legal steps. "This is about defending my honor! Because this is nonsense. This is someone who knew that she had false information and did this with the aim of causing damage, in the service of an ideology and with established connections to far-right guides." The BBC spoke to Candace Owens’ legal team for a comment. She previously said that she believes what she says is true and that it is nothing more American than freedom of speech and the ability to criticize.
