Candace Owens, a prominent figure in conservative commentary, finds herself embroiled in a legal battle with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte.
The couple accuses Owens of leveraging their personal lives to amplify her online presence and financial gain by persistently questioning Mrs. Macron's gender identity.
As reported by Breitbart, the Macrons have intensified their legal action, initially filed in July, against Owens. They argue that she has escalated her claims that Mrs. Macron, aged 72, was born male. Their legal representatives assert, "Since we filed this lawsuit, Ms Owens has only strengthened our case by doubling down on, and escalating, her knowingly false and defamatory rhetoric against the Macrons."
They further allege that Owens has utilized her podcast to propagate these claims, sell merchandise mocking the Macrons, and solicit donations under the guise of investigative reporting.
The Times highlights that Owens, 36, has recently launched a new season of her series, "Becoming Brigitte," which she began last year. The amended lawsuit accuses her of suggesting that the Macrons are part of a conspiracy to divert attention from her investigation into the alleged assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Owens's influence is notable, with her fan base expanding to 7.2 million followers on X and 5.21 million subscribers on YouTube. Her investigation into the Macrons' history has become a topic of discussion on some of the world's most popular podcasts.
The Macrons initiated a 218-page defamation lawsuit in a Delaware court, citing "substantial reputational damage" due to Owens's repeated assertions that Mrs. Macron is secretly male. They describe these allegations as "outlandish, defamatory and far-fetched fictions," yet the podcast series continues to attract millions of listeners.
Owens, however, remains defiant in the face of the lawsuit, dismissing it as a "public relations strategy" by the Macrons. She has pledged to contest the legal action vigorously, declaring, "On behalf of the entire world, I will see you in court." In response, Mrs. Macron has committed to presenting photographic evidence in court to substantiate her gender identity.
This is not the first instance where the Macrons have resorted to legal measures to counter rumors about Brigitte's gender. In 2022, Mrs. Macron filed a defamation complaint in France against freelance journalist Natacha Rey and self-proclaimed "medium" Amandine Roy. The French court found the pair guilty of libel in 2023, resulting in a fine of $2,600.
The unfolding legal drama underscores the broader cultural and political tensions surrounding privacy, defamation, and the responsibilities of public figures in the digital age. As Owens and the Macrons prepare for their courtroom confrontation, the case raises questions about the limits of free speech and the potential consequences of spreading unverified claims in the pursuit of personal or political agendas.
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