Brigitte Macron Sues Candace Owens Over Defamation Claims
The lawsuit filed by the Macrons against Candace Owens has sparked a wider conversation about the impact of online rumors and conspiracy theories on individuals and their reputations, and the need for social media platforms to take responsibility for the content shared on their sites.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have filed a lawsuit against American influencer Candace Owens in the United States, accusing her of defamation and conspiracy theories, including spreading rumors that Brigitte Macron is a trans woman.
The Macrons claim that Candace Owens, who has a large following on social media, has been leading a global defamation and humiliation campaign to gain notoriety and money. They are seeking to put an end to this campaign and protect their reputation. The lawsuit comes after a French court previously ruled that two women who spread similar rumors about Brigitte Macron online were not guilty of defamation, as the allegations did not meet the legal criteria for defamation.
The French court had ruled that implying someone has undergone a gender transition does not constitute an attack on their honor or reputation, and therefore cannot be considered defamation under penal law. However, the court did find that comments about the relationship between Brigitte Macron and Emmanuel Macron when he was a high school student were defamatory.
The Macrons' lawsuit against Candace Owens is a significant development in the ongoing debate about online harassment and defamation. As social media continues to play a major role in shaping public discourse, the case highlights the need for individuals to be held accountable for spreading false and damaging information about others.