In brief
French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron are preparing to present photographic and scientific evidence to a U.S. court to defend against claims made by right-wing influencer Candace Owens, who alleges that Brigitte is a man. Their attorney, Tom Clare, stated that Mrs. Macron finds these claims deeply upsetting, prompting the couple to take legal action. Owens’ defense has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, while the Macrons assert they will showcase extensive evidence to refute the allegations.
Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, are planning to present photographic and scientific evidence to a U.S. court to prove Mrs. Macron is a woman. Their lawyer says the French president and Mrs. Macron will present the documentation in a defamation suit they have taken against the right-wing influencer Candace Owens after she promoted her belief that Brigitte Macron was born male. Ms. Owens' lawyers have responded with a motion to dismiss the claim.Speaking to the BBC's Fame Under Fire podcast, the Macrons' lawyer in the case, Tom Clare, said Mrs. Macron had found the claims 'incredibly upsetting' and they were a 'distraction' to the French president. I don't want to suggest that it somehow has thrown him off his game. But just like anybody who is juggling a career and a family life as well, when your family is under attack, it wears on you. And he's not immune from that because he's the president of a country, he said.Mr. Clare stated there would be 'expert testimony that will come out that will be scientific in nature,' and while he would not reveal the specifics of this evidence, he assured that the couple was prepared to demonstrate 'both generically and specifically' that the allegations are false. Mrs. Macron is 'firmly resolved to do what it takes to set the record straight.' Clare also mentioned that images of Brigitte during pregnancy and raising their children exist and will be presented in court.The allegations made by Owens originated from fringe online spaces, notably through a 2021 YouTube video by French bloggers. The Macrons earlier won a defamation case in France against those bloggers but are now appealing an overturned ruling on freedom of expression grounds in 2025. Their recent lawsuit against Owens claims she 'disregarded all credible evidence disproving her claim.' Ms. Owens' legal team argues that the case should not have been filed in Delaware, which would impose financial burdens on her.In August, Macron emphasized the importance of this lawsuit, stating, 'This is about defending my honour! Because this is nonsense.' The dramatic case continues to unfold as the profile of the allegations increases under the scrutiny of public interest.
