Candace Owens Faces Defamation Lawsuit from Macrons: A Blow to Meghan Markle’s Critic
French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron have filed a 218-page defamation lawsuit against conservative podcaster Candace Owens in Delaware Superior Court on July 23, 2025, accusing her of orchestrating a “campaign of global humiliation” with false claims that Brigitte Macron is transgender. The 22-count complaint alleges Owens spread “outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions” to boost her podcast, Candace, and amass notoriety, causing “tremendous damage” to the Macrons’ reputation and emotional well-being.
This legal action, a rare move by a sitting world leader, indirectly resonates with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, whom Owens has relentlessly criticized, though the couple has remained silent on the matter. This article explores the lawsuit, its implications, and its connection to Owens’ history of targeting public figures like the Duchess of Sussex.
The Macrons’ Case Against Owens
The lawsuit stems from Owens’ repeated claims, starting in March 2024, that Brigitte Macron, 72, was born male under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, her brother’s name, and transitioned to female. These allegations, amplified through an eight-part podcast series, Becoming Brigitte, and social media posts, also include baseless claims of incest, identity theft, and a CIA-controlled presidency.
The Macrons assert Owens ignored three retraction demands, backed by evidence like Brigitte’s birth records and photos proving she was born female, instead doubling down with “reckless disregard for the truth.” Their attorney, Tom Clare of Clare Locke, called it a “clear-cut case of defamation,” citing Owens’ reliance on discredited sources like a self-proclaimed spiritual medium. The suit seeks unspecified punitive damages and a jury trial, with the Macrons willing to testify in Delaware.
Owens, who learned of the lawsuit through media reports, responded defiantly on her podcast, labeling it a “desperate public relations strategy” and reiterating her claims, even suggesting she could depose Donald Trump, who she alleges discussed Brigitte’s gender with her. Her spokesperson accused the Macrons of bullying and infringing on her First Amendment rights, claiming Brigitte refused interview requests. Legal experts note that proving “actual malice”—knowingly false statements or reckless disregard—is critical for the Macrons, as public figures, to win in U.S. courts.
Owens’ History of Targeting Meghan Markle
Candace Owens, a far-right commentator with 7 million X followers and 4.5 million YouTube subscribers, has a track record of provocative statements, including antisemitic tropes and Holocaust minimization, which led to her 2024 dismissal from The Daily Wire and a visa denial in Australia. She has frequently targeted Meghan Markle, branding her “disgusting” for invoking Princess Diana’s victimhood and urging her and Prince Harry to “move to Canada” in 2023, claiming their “stock has degraded.”
These attacks, often aired on her podcast and X, align with her broader pattern of inflammatory rhetoric, which the Macrons’ lawsuit suggests is driven by profit and attention. While Meghan and Harry have not publicly addressed Owens’ criticism or the Macrons’ lawsuit, royal insiders speculate the couple may privately view this legal action as a form of karmic justice against a persistent detractor.
Implications and Cross-Border Legal Challenges
The Macrons’ lawsuit is a rare instance of a foreign leader suing in U.S. courts, drawing parallels to Donald Trump’s recent defamation suits against media outlets. The Delaware filing targets Owens’ businesses, incorporated in the state, and leverages the expertise of Clare Locke, which secured a $787.5 million settlement for Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News.
The case tests the limits of U.S. defamation law, where the “actual malice” standard poses a high bar for public figures. A related French case, where Brigitte won damages against two women for similar claims in 2024, was overturned on appeal for “good faith” reasons, adding complexity to the Macrons’ pursuit of justice.
Owens’ defiance, including her podcast taunts and merchandise sales tied to the controversy, may escalate the legal battle, with potential discovery processes exposing her sources and motives. For Meghan and Harry, who have faced similar online harassment, the lawsuit underscores the broader fight against disinformation targeting public figures. While they remain silent, the case could set a precedent for holding influencers accountable, resonating with those, like the Sussexes, who endure relentless media scrutiny.
