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Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Can the president and first lady of France stop Candace Owens' lies?
Why is American right-wing commentator Candace Owens so obsessed with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte? 'I am disgusted by your relationship,' Owens said in January, after the Macrons asked her to stop accusing the French first lady of being a transgender woman. 'You make me sick, Brigitte.' Sure, in our patriarchal world, it's unusual for a wife to be 24 years older than her husband. But President Trump is also 24 years older than his wife, Melania. So, seriously, what is the big whoop? One answer can be found in the 219-page defamation lawsuit filed Wednesday against Owens by the Macrons in Delaware Superior Court. In exhaustive detail, the lawsuit lays out the preposterous claims made by Owens about the French first couple, subjecting them to 'a campaign of global humiliation.' The law firm representing the Macrons, Clare Locke, is the same outfit that won a massive settlement against Fox News for defaming Dominion Voting Systems in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. As the lawsuit recounts, in March 2024, Owens was dismissed by Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire media operation after making a series of antisemitic comments, including repeating the 'blood libel' that Jews drink the blood of Christian babies. In June 2024, she launched her newly independent YouTube channel and, according to the Macron lawsuit, was hungry for attention and 'searching for a salacious conspiracy theory to increase viewership.' At one point on X, she described her wackadoodle claims about the Macrons as the 'biggest scandal that has ever happened in politics in human history.' Oh, I dunno. As far as political scandals go, I think real ones like Watergate, Iran-Contra and the Jan. 6 insurrection were a teensy bit more impactful than a fantasy about a first lady's sex change. So how, exactly, did Owens land on a conspiracy theory focused on the French president and first lady? According to the Macron lawsuit, in September 2019, Owens became involved in French far-right politics after she was invited to be the keynote speaker at the Convention de la Droite (Convention of the Right) in Paris. Her 15-minute speech was the usual Stephen Miller-esque litany of complaints familiar to Christian nationalists: immigrants, political correctness, secularism and, of course, the 'fake news media' are ruining America. She made spectacularly asinine assertions about police killings of unarmed Black men, claiming that in 2016, 'only' 16 unarmed Black men were slain by police and that Black men had a higher chance of being struck by lightning than killed by cops. She also endeared herself to her audience when she accused Macron of being a weak leader and, horrors, a 'globalist.' In any case, it seems that accusing high-profile women of being a transgender has become fashionable on the transphobic far right. As you may recall, some of this country's most heinous conspiracy theorists have leveled the same bizarre charge against Michelle Obama, whose husband, the Hawaii-born former President Obama, was repeatedly accused by Trump of not being born in the U.S. These outlandish accusations spring from the impulse to inflict as much political damage as possible. In early 2025, Owens launched an eight-part series on her YouTube channel called 'Becoming Brigitte.' In it, she claimed the French president is gay. That his relationship with Brigitte is incestuous. That they engage in pedophilia and worship a satanic idol called Baphomet. She has cited a 2021 Daily Mail story as her source, when in fact that piece was a complete debunking of the very conspiracy theories she was promoting. The Daily Mail traced the origin of the conspiracy theory to a piece published two months earlier in a French far-right newsletter, Faits et Documents (Facts and Documents). The allegations, according to the Daily Mail, were an attempt to damage the 2022 reelection prospects of Macron, who faced two right-wing opponents. Fait et Documents claimed no childhood photographs of Brigitte Macron could be found. But, as the Daily Mail — and the Macron lawsuit — note, there is a newspaper announcement of her 1953 birth, photos of her taking communion at 7, and photos of her first wedding. How likely are the French first couple to prevail in a defamation lawsuit? The standard of proof in American courts, especially for people as famous as they are, is very, very high. The Macrons will have to prove that Owens acted with 'actual malice,' that she knew what she was saying is false and said it anyway, or that she acted with reckless disregard for whether it was true or not. The Macrons, according to their lawsuit, sent her three separate retraction demands, explicitly stating that her claims were false, and included evidence such as birth records, marriage records and photographs. They have asked for a jury trial and unspecified damages. Owens has remained defiant, claiming to her nearly 4.5 million YouTube subscribers that the Macrons are trying to silence her, and that their lawsuit is proof that her allegations are correct. 'I am fully prepared to take on this battle,' Owens said. 'On behalf of the entire world, I will see you in court.' Personally, I think she should be nervous. Robert Barnes, the right-wing attorney who defended the loony conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, agrees. 'Owens told some of the dumbest, obvious lies one can tell,' Barnes wrote Thursday on X. 'She has 0% chance of winning in court.' I can hardly wait. Bluesky: @rabcarianThreads: @rabcarian
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Candace Owens Responds to Macron Lawsuit
Left: Candace Owens in 2022. Right: Brigitte Macron in 2017. Credit - Jason Davis—Getty Images; Guillaume Collet—SIPA/AP 'The life of Candace Owens, it works like this,' said the popular right-wing commentator on her podcast on Wednesday. 'I wake up, I stretch, I have a cup of coffee, and then I am served with a lawsuit.' Owens explained that she had just been sued by the 'first lady man' of France, repeating her contentious claim that Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, was born male. It's a claim that Owens previously said 'I would stake my entire professional reputation on'—and which she may now have to, as the Macrons seek to take Owens to trial, filing a 219-page complaint before a Delaware court on Wednesday that alleges she has subjected them to a 'campaign of global humiliation.' The Macrons are represented by Clare Locke, a law firm that specializes in high-profile reputation cases and is perhaps best known for serving as co-counsel for Dominion Voting Systems in its historic $787 million settlement against Fox News over the cable network's 2020 election lies. The complaint against Owens requests not-yet-specified 'actual, presumed, and punitive' monetary damages and 'such other and additional remedies as the Court may deem just and proper.' 'This was really a last resort,' lead counsel Tom Clare told CNN about the lawsuit. 'We have attempted to engage with [Owens] for the last year—putting evidence in front of her, request after request after request that she just simply do the right thing.' Clare said these attempts were ignored. 'Enough is enough.' Owens' response, however, suggests the saga will not end anytime soon. 'I am fully prepared to take on this battle,' Owens said. 'On behalf of the entire world, I will see you in court.' What the Macrons' lawsuit says In the complaint, which included 99 pages of allegations of fact and outlined 22 alleged counts of defamation and false light, the Macrons claim that Owens has endorsed, manufactured, and promoted a series of false statements about them, including that Brigitte Macron was born a man and transitioned to identify as a woman, that Brigitte Macron statutorily raped a young Emmanuel Macron, that the two are related and engaged in incest, and that the Macrons have abused their power to conceal their scandalous pasts. The lawsuit states that all such claims are demonstrably false and defamatory and alleges that Owens knowingly laundered the falsities in 'pursuit of fame.' The lawsuit cites a number of pieces of evidence—including photos of a young Brigitte, a contemporaneous newspaper announcement of her birth, and the fact she gave birth to three children with her first husband—to refute Owens' claims. It also takes aim at Owens' credibility, pointing to her career of 'routinely peddling misinformation under the guise of legitimate reporting' and saying that she 'built a brand on provocation, not truth.' Owens, who previously worked as communications director for the conservative activist organization Turning Point USA and was fired for antisemitism from the conservative media site The Daily Wire last year, has millions of followers on X and YouTube. The complaint argues that Owens monetized her allegedly defamatory claims about the Macrons, including by selling merchandise such as a shirt displaying Brigitte Macron on a fake TIME magazine 'Man of the Year' cover. The lawsuit highlights that Owens was sent a detailed retraction demand letter in December that 'conclusively disproved' her claims about the Macrons but Owens still went on to produce an eight-part video series titled 'Becoming Brigitte' in which she continued to peddle false claims. Owens, according to the complaint, misrepresented the letter to her followers and suggested that the Macrons were attempting to 'intimidate' her, which she cited as inspiration for producing the series, which was 'aggressively monetized' and used to 'elevate her personal brand.' 'Her conduct reveals a clear motive to generate controversy for financial and reputational gain,' the complaint alleges. 'She will say anything, regardless of how outrageous or unfounded, to attract attention, build her platform, and achieve notoriety.' The lawsuit claims 'overwhelming evidence' of actual malice, a standard required to be proved clearly and convincingly by plaintiffs in order for a defamation case to overcome First Amendment protections. In addition to her response to the retraction demand letter, financial motivations, and political bias, it cites Owens' reliance on non-credible sources to promote an 'inherently improbable' conspiracy theory. The complaint references a ruling by a court in France last September that found two of Owens' sources—'so-called clairvoyant' Amandine Roy and 'amateur detective' Natacha Rey—liable for libel for spreading false claims about Brigitte Macron and her brother. An appeals court overturned the convictions earlier this month, though the complaint against Owens notes that the ruling 'did not overturn the judgment on the basis that the statements were true' but rather because it believed the defendants made the claims in 'good faith.' That case has been appealed by Macron to France's highest court. In summarizing the reputational and emotional harm the French leader and his wife have suffered, the complaint says that Owens' allegedly defamatory statements 'caused numerous individuals who heard or read them—both those who had held the Macrons in high regard and those who otherwise would have, as well as those with no awareness or opinion of the Macrons—to view them with contempt, to hold them in low regard, and to avoid associating or doing business with them, and to encourage others to avoid associating or doing business with them as well.' As a result, it added, 'relationships with other members of the government, potential political allies, and others' as well as 'confidence in the Macrons' integrity and fitness as political and governmental leaders' have been undermined. And the devastating reach has been global, the complaint asserts, invoking Owens' own statement in a March podcast episode: 'This is not just viral in France, viral in America, viral in the UK, the story, it's even viral in Russia. People are now considering it as a part of their political dialogue and analyses.' The Macrons described the spread of Owens false statements by other media personalities and influencers, including Joe Rogan, who is widely described as the most popular podcaster in the world. On March and April episodes of his show, which has 20 million subscribers on YouTube, Rogan said he believed Owens' claims. 'Yeah, Brigitte Macron's a man. She got me hook, line, and sinker,' Rogan said of Owens, noting that if her claims were false 'she would be getting sued right now…they would sue her.' Owens herself had also practically dared the Macrons to sue her, according to the complaint, telling them after the December retraction to 'bring' it. 'I'll run down to the courthouse and file the lawsuit for you,' Owens said. 'I might even cover your legal expenses.' How Owens has responded to the Macrons' lawsuit Since the complaint was filed, Owens has only doubled down, even using it to promote her 'Becoming Brigitte' series. In a 52-minute podcast episode with a sharecard that advertised 'This took…balls,' Owens insisted: 'If you need any more evidence that Brigitte Macron is definitely a man, it is just what is happening right now. The idea that you would file this lawsuit is all of the proof that you need.' She continued to label Brigitte Macron a 'groomer' and 'pedophile,' referencing how the couple met when Emmanuel Macron was a student and Brigitte was then his teacher. Brigitte was 39 years old at the time, while Owens claims Emmanuel was 14, though the Macrons have long said he was 15, which is the age of consent in France. 'At all times, the teacher-student relationship between Mrs. Macron and President Macron remained within the bounds of the law,' the complaint stated. Owens minimized the complaint's accusation of 'relentless bullying,' asking 'How old are you? Are you five years old? Really?' At the same time, she claimed the defamation lawsuit was a form of bullying and defamation against her. 'You're trying to delegitimize the reporting by smearing my character,' she said, before reading from the complaint. 'Here's one: 'She has promoted a range of conspiracy theories, including anti-vaccine falsehoods, longdebunked antisemitic tropes such as blood libel, and Holocaust distortion' … None of that is true. None of that is true,' Owens responded. 'Fire everybody around you, and I mean literally everyone around you, who told you that this was a good idea. That this was a very good idea for you to be the first sitting first lady of a country to file a lawsuit against a journalist of another country,' Owens said, calling the lawsuit a 'catastrophic PR strategy.' 'You're defaming me because you don't want people to continue to watch the series. But I'm sorry, my friend, the train has left the station,' Owens said. 'It's not going to work, OK? You've met your match.' 'We're not going to shut up. You're not going to bully us. Frankly, I find this all to be irresistible and delicious,' Owens said. She then claimed that in the legal proceedings that may follow she would even try to depose President Donald Trump, who Owens said called her earlier this year to say he personally confronted the French President about questions surrounding his wife's gender. Owens also said that her lawyer would 'be able to sit across and ask Brigitte Macron questions about her penis' and 'Brigitte would then be compelled for the first time to answer them under oath.' Owens railed against what she called the 'perverts that run the world' and a 'sadistic syndicate,' and she suggested that the only conceivable way she could lose in court is because of corruption masterminded by liberal elites. 'I think Hunter Biden kind of notoriously implied that his family controls the courts in Delaware. That is true. Maybe that's what they're banking on.' Contact us at letters@ Solve the daily Crossword
Express Tribune
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
French President Emmanuel Macron and wife sue Candace Owens for defamation
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, have filed a defamation lawsuit in Delaware against U.S. conservative commentator Candace Owens. The suit alleges that Owens spread false claims for profit and publicity, including that Brigitte Macron is a man and that President Macron is controlled by the CIA. According to the legal filing, Owens began publicly accusing Brigitte Macron of being transgender in early 2024 and intensified her claims through an eight-part podcast titled Becoming Brigitte. The Macrons state that these claims are 'demonstrably false' and have caused severe emotional and reputational harm. Hear that? That's the sound of Candace Owens shitting her pants. — That Gay Guy Candle Co. 🇺🇸 (@gayguycandleco) July 23, 2025 The lawsuit outlines how the couple issued multiple legal notices demanding retractions, which Owens reportedly mocked. The suit accuses her of using their responses to generate more content and escalate the conspiracy theories. Specific accusations included claims of identity theft, incest, CIA mind control, and document fraud. Represented by prominent defamation firm Clare Locke, the Macrons say they've suffered global humiliation and spent considerable resources to counter the disinformation. They argue the campaign has led to relentless bullying and invasion of privacy, both online and in public life. Owens responded through a spokesperson, framing the lawsuit as a violation of her First Amendment rights and alleging foreign interference in American journalism. She is expected to address the issue on her show. This lawsuit marks a rare case of a sitting world leader suing a foreign media figure, highlighting the growing challenges posed by misinformation and social media-fueled conspiracies.
CNBC
23-07-2025
- Politics
- CNBC
French President Macron, wife Brigitte sue Candace Owens for defamation from transgender claim
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, on Wednesday sued right-wing provocateur podcaster Candace Owens for repeatedly falsely claiming that Brigitte Macron "is in fact a man." The Macrons' 22-count civil lawsuit accusing Owens of defamation and false light alleges that Owens, since March 2024, has "used this false statement" about Brigitte Macron "to promote her independent platform, gain notoriety, and make money." "Owens disregarded all credible evidence disproving her claim in favor of platforming known conspiracy theorists and proven defamers," the lawsuit filed in Delaware Superior Court says. "And rather than engage with President and Mrs. Macron's attempts to set the record straight, Owens mocked them and used them as additional fodder for her frenzied fan base," says the suit, which notes that Brigitte Macron bore three children from her first husband. The complaint says that Owens' allegedly knowingly false statements about the Macrons include claims that they are blood relatives who have committed incest, and that President Macron was chosen to be president as part of a CIA-operated program or "similar mind-control program." The statements were made in an eight-part podcast, "Becoming Brigitte," and in accompanying posts on the social media site X, the suit says. "These lies have caused tremendous damage to the Macrons," the suit says. The complaint seeks monetary damages to be determined at trial. The Macrons are being represented in the suit by the law firm Clare Locke. Clare Locke in April 2023 with another law firm, obtained a $787.5 million settlement for the voting machine company Dominion Voting System from Fox Corp. and its cable networks, including Fox News, to resolve a defamation suit related to claims about the 2020 presidential election. "If ever there was a clear-cut case of defamation, this is it," said the firm's attorney Tom Clare, about the lawsuit filed by the Macrons. The Macrons, in a statement, said, "Because Ms. Owens systematically reaffirmed these falsehoods in response to each of our attorneys' repeated requests for a retraction, we ultimately concluded that referring the matter to a court of law was the only remaining avenue for remedy." "Ms. Owens' campaign of defamation was plainly designed to harass and cause pain to us and our families and to garner attention and notoriety. We gave her every opportunity to back away from these claims, but she refused," the couple said. "It is our earnest hope that this lawsuit will set the record straight and end this campaign of defamation once and for all." A spokesperson for Owens, in a statement to CNBC, said "Candace Owens is not shutting up. This is a foreign government attacking the First Amendment rights of an American independent journalist." "Candace repeatedly requested an interview with Brigitte Macron," the spokesperson said. "Instead of offering a comment, Brigitte is resorting to trying to bully a reporter into submission." "In France, politicians can bully journalists, but this is not France. It's America. Candace will address everything on her show today, where she will continue to express her First Amendment rights." Owens, on July 2, published on her website a letter from Clare Locke to her attorney demanding that Owens "and the entities she controls retract her false and defamatory statements" about the Macrons.
Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Macrons sue US commentator over claims that French President's wife is a ‘man'
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, have filed a defamation lawsuit in Delaware against US rightwing commentator Candace Owens, accusing her of spreading false and malicious claims for personal gain. According to the lawsuit, Owens has repeatedly claimed that Brigitte Macron is a man and alleged that Emmanuel Macron is under the control of the CIA. The Macrons say Owens has used these fabrications to grow her media platform and monetise attention, including through an eight-part podcast series titled Becoming Brigitte. 'These outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions included that Mrs Macron was born a man, stole another person's identity, and transitioned to become Brigitte; Mrs Macron and President Macron are blood relatives committing incest; President Macron was chosen to be the President of France as part of the CIA-operated MKUltra program or a similar mind-control program; and Mrs Macron and President Macron are committing forgery, fraud, and abuses of power to conceal these secrets,' the lawsuit says, The Guardian reported. The Macrons said they had sent multiple retraction demands with evidence disproving the claims, but Owens responded by mocking them and intensifying her attacks. 'Because Ms Owens systematically reaffirmed these falsehoods in response to each of our attorneys' repeated requests for a retraction, we ultimately concluded that referring the matter to a court of law was the only remaining avenue,' the couple said in a statement as quoted by The Guardian. 'It is our earnest hope that this lawsuit will set the record straight and end this campaign of defamation once and for all.' The lawsuit says the campaign has subjected the Macrons to global humiliation and 'relentless bullying,' causing reputational damage and forcing them to spend 'considerable sums' to correct the public record. The couple is represented by the law firm Clare Locke, known for its role in the Dominion Voting Systems case against Fox News. According to The Financial Times, the Macrons are prepared to appear in a Delaware court for trial. Owens has not yet commented publicly on the lawsuit.
