Macrons Pursue Legal Action Against Candace Owens for Defamation

France's first couple, President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, are escalating their legal fight against conservative US influencer Candace Owens. They have initiated a defamation suit seeking substantial damages over Owens's claims that Brigitte is a transgender man, allegations that have persisted despite repeated attempts by the Macrons to set the record straight.

According to their lawyer, Tom Clare, the lawsuit was a "last resort" after a year of fruitless efforts to engage Owens. The Macrons' lawsuit, filed in a Delaware court, is backed by what the couple's lawyer describes as "extensive evidence" proving Brigitte was "born a woman and has always been a woman." The French first couple's legal actions are rooted in longstanding conspiracy theories that have targeted Brigitte for years.

Owens has dismissed the lawsuit as a desperate public relations strategy. The Macrons' legal actions in France, involving previous defamation victories, continue to play out in the highest courts. These legal complications punctuate a relationship that has consistently drawn public attention, from their early days meeting when Emmanuel was Brigitte's high school student, to their ongoing public appearances.

(With inputs from agencies.)