French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron have initiated legal action in response to false allegations circulating online. US influencer Candice Owens claimed that Brigitte Macron was originally a man named Jean-Michel who later underwent gender reassignment surgery. The Macrons have consistently denied these claims as baseless rumors, but Owens’ continued promotion of the allegations prompted the couple to file a defamation lawsuit in a Delaware court.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte plan to present “photographic and scientific evidence” in an American court to prove that Mrs. Macron is a woman.
The French president and his wife filed a defamation lawsuit against American influencer Candace Owens, who… pic.twitter.com/ZLWS9SyHnB
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) September 18, 2025
The Macrons’ legal team stated that they will present scientific evidence, photographs, and documentation to prove Brigitte Macron’s identity as a woman, including images from her pregnancies and child-rearing. Their lawyer, Clare, emphasized that Owens’ campaign caused significant emotional distress and interfered with the president’s official duties. Clare noted that Jean-Michel is actually the name of Brigitte’s brother and criticized Owens for continuing to spread false claims despite repeated requests to stop. The lawsuit seeks to prevent further dissemination of misinformation and ensure that the truth is publicly acknowledged.