The defamation lawsuit filed by Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron against Candace Owens is shining a light on the delicate balance between free speech and defamation, especially in cases involving public figures. Reuters+3euronews+3www.ndtv.com+3
Owens has repeatedly spread claims that Brigitte Macron was born male and is named Jean-Michel Trogneux—her brother. These claims have been proven false legally before; Brigitte won a defamation suit in France in 2024 against two bloggers who originated the allegations. However, a French court of appeal overturned that ruling in 2025 on freedom of expression grounds. www.ndtv.com+3EL PAÍS English+3Le Monde.fr+3
In the U.S. lawsuit, the Macrons intend to present photographic and scientific proof, including evidence of Brigitte during pregnancy and raising her children, to meet the legal standard required in U.S. defamation law—namely, actual malice for public figures. This means proving that Owens either knew her statements were false or acted with reckless disregard for their truth. Anadolu Ajansı+3www.ndtv.com+3Al Jazeera+3
This case underscores how languages of proof and case law differ in defamation suits across jurisdictions, and how influencers and public personalities are increasingly held accountable for online rumours. www.ndtv.com+1
