Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, are preparing to submit photographic and scientific evidence to a US court to affirm Mrs. Macron’s identity as a woman. This legal action follows a defamation suit filed against right-wing influencer Candace Owens, who has publicly insisted that Brigitte Macron was born male.
According to their lawyer, Tom Clare, Mrs. Macron has found Owens' claims incredibly distressing. Clare stated in a recent interview on the BBC's Fame Under Fire podcast that the allegations have created a significant burden for both the couple personally and politically.
When your family is under attack, it wears on you, Clare acknowledged, noting that while it may not disrupt Macron's responsibilities as president, it certainly adds pressure to his personal life.
The couple aims to provide scientific proof, including expert testimonies, to challenge Owens' statements adequately. Clare emphasized Brigitte's determination to clarify these allegations, asserting, She is firmly resolved to do what it takes to set the record straight.
Furthermore, Clare mentioned that they would include existing evidence such as photographs capturing Brigitte during pregnancy and raising her children to support their case.
The allegations against Mrs. Macron date back to fringe online discussions, originating from a 2021 video by French bloggers Amandine Roy and Natacha Rey, which the Macrons successfully contested in a French court in 2024. However, that ruling was overturned in 2025 on freedom of expression grounds.
The Macrons have since taken legal action against Owens, filing a suit that details her disregard for credible evidence in favor of sensationalism and conspiracy. They argue that Owens knowingly spread false information, thus demonstrating actual malice necessary for their defamation claim.
In response, Owens' legal team filed a motion to dismiss the case, challenging its venue and claiming that defending it in Delaware would impose financial strain on their operations.
Reflecting on the motivations behind their legal pursuit, President Macron remarked to French media, This is about defending my honour! Because this is nonsense. This is someone who knew full well that she had false information and did so with the aim of causing harm.
