French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, have filed a defamation lawsuit against right-wing influencer Candace Owens. The lawsuit was submitted on Wednesday in Delaware Superior Court. It addresses Owens' claims that Brigitte Macron was born male.

The Macrons allege that Owens has conducted a “campaign of global humiliation” and “relentless bullying” to promote her podcast and grow her audience. They assert that Owens falsely claimed Brigitte was born as Jean-Michel Trogneux, which is actually the name of her older brother.

The lawsuit states, “Every time the Macrons leave their home, they do so knowing that countless people have heard, and many believe, these vile fabrications. It is invasive, dehumanizing, and deeply unjust.”

Owens has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit. Macron's office also declined to comment. The 22-count complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

This lawsuit is notable as it marks a rare instance of a world leader pursuing legal action for defamation. Public figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, have previously filed similar lawsuits. In U.S. defamation cases, public figures must demonstrate that the defendant acted with “actual malice,” meaning they knew the statements were false or showed reckless disregard for the truth.

The Macrons claim that Owens ignored three requests for retractions, with the first made in December and the last on July 1. They argue that Owens continued to spread “outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions” about them.

The lawsuit describes Owens' actions as motivated by a desire for fame rather than truth. “Ms. Owens' campaign of defamation was plainly designed to harass and cause pain to us and our families and to garner attention and notoriety,” the Macrons stated.

The Macrons hope that this lawsuit will clarify the truth and put an end to what they describe as a campaign of defamation. They assert that Owens has subjected them to a “campaign of global humiliation,” turning their lives into material for profit-driven lies.

The lawsuit also names Owens' company, Candace Owens LLC, and the operator of her website, GeorgeTom, Inc. The Macrons allege that the unfounded claims about Brigitte began circulating in March 2021 and were amplified by Owens in March 2024, shortly after she was fired from The Daily Wire. Following her termination, Owens launched her podcast, where she continued to promote the allegations.

The Macrons' legal team argues that Owens published these defamatory statements knowing they were false, acting with reckless disregard for the truth. They contend that Owens had a financial incentive to perpetuate these claims, as her podcast series was monetized and used to solicit contributions and promote subscriptions.