PARIS (AP) – A lawyer representing the first couple of France, President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, announced that they will seek “substantial” damages from U.S. conservative influencer Candace Owens if she continues to assert that Brigitte is a man. This statement comes as a defamation lawsuit has been filed against Owens in a Delaware court.
Tom Clare, the lawyer for the Macrons, indicated in an interview with CNN that the legal action is a “last resort” after a lengthy year of unsuccessful attempts to engage with Owens. Clare emphasized that their efforts to convince Owens to “tell the truth” and cease spreading falsehoods about Brigitte have been met with mockery, prompting the decision to pursue accountability through legal channels.
According to Clare, the complaint against Owens includes “extensive evidence” demonstrating that Brigitte Macron “was born a woman, she’s always been a woman.” The case illustrates the Macrons’ position and their commitment to addressing what they consider to be harmful and defamatory claims made by Owens.
Clare added that the determination of damages will be presented at trial. However, he warned that if Owens continues her assertions leading up to the trial, the damages sought could be significant. This situation underscores the increasing tensions between the Macrons and Owens, as the presidential office in Paris refrained from making an immediate comment on the issue.
Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron have been together since 2007, and Emmanuel has been serving as France's president since 2017. Their relationship has garnered considerable public interest over the years, particularly due to their age difference. The couple's story began when they first met at the high school where Emmanuel was a student, and Brigitte was a teacher. At that time, she was known as Brigitte Auzière and was a married mother of three.
Emmanuel Macron moved to Paris for his final year of high school, during which he promised to marry Brigitte. Following this commitment, Brigitte eventually relocated to Paris and divorced her husband before marrying Emmanuel. Their relationship has faced scrutiny and speculation, often fueled by their notable age gap and Brigitte’s status as Macron’s former teacher.
This ongoing dispute with Candace Owens highlights the challenges faced by public figures in the age of social media, where misinformation can spread rapidly and impact the lives and reputations of individuals. The outcome of the lawsuit may set precedents regarding defamation in the digital sphere and the responsibilities of influencers and public personalities in their statements.
