Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, filed a defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens on Wednesday in Delaware Superior Court. The 218-page complaint alleges that Owens, in her eight-part YouTube and podcast series "Becoming Brigitte," repeatedly spread false and defamatory statements, including claims that Brigitte Macron was born male and that the Macrons are blood relatives. The lawsuit also cites claims that Macron's presidency resulted from a CIA mind control program. The Macrons seek a jury trial and unspecified punitive damages, stating Owens used her platform to spread "verifiably false and devastating lies" and engage in a "defamation campaign" designed to harass them and generate notoriety for herself.

Owens' spokesperson responded that the lawsuit is an attempt to bully her and an attack on First Amendment rights, claiming Owens had requested an interview with Brigitte Macron. The complaint notes that baseless speculation about Brigitte Macron's gender began in 2021, appearing on podcasts hosted by Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan. The Macrons' legal action follows Brigitte Macron's previous legal battles in France over similar allegations.

Impact Statement: This lawsuit highlights the increasing challenges faced by public figures in combating the spread of misinformation through social media and the potential for legal action across international borders.