A high-profile international spat has erupted between French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron, and American commentator Candace Owens, sparking a fierce debate about truth, defamation, and the power of online discourse. What began as internet rumors has escalated into a legal battle, with both sides trading barbs and accusations in a saga that has captured headlines on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Spark: Controversial Claims and a Lawsuit

In July, President Macron and France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron, filed a defamation lawsuit in a US court against Candace Owens, a conservative American podcaster and commentator. The suit came after Owens made a series of inflammatory assertions about Brigitte Macron—including the false claim that she was born male and that the Macrons are blood relatives. These claims, widely dismissed by reputable sources as baseless conspiracy theories, nonetheless gained traction among Owens’ online audience.

The Macrons, who had previously weathered gossip and tabloid rumors in France, initially chose not to respond. But as the allegations spread in the US and gained momentum, they decided to act. In a rare move, the French presidential couple took legal action outside their home country, signaling the seriousness with which they viewed the situation.

Macron Breaks His Silence

For weeks, speculation swirled about how the French president would address the controversy. The answer came during an interview with Paris Match, conducted while Macron was visiting the United States. Published on August 19, the interview marked the first time Macron publicly discussed the lawsuit and the motivations behind it.

“Yes, there was a tradition of saying: We must let it flow. That’s what we did at the beginning. At first, it was in France. We were advised not to file a complaint… But it has taken on such a magnitude in the United States that we had to react. It is a question of enforcing the truth,” Macron explained.

His remarks framed the lawsuit not as a matter of personal offense, but as a broader stand for truth and integrity in an era of viral misinformation.

Candace Owens Fires Back

Owens, never one to shy away from controversy, responded to Macron’s interview on her podcast with characteristic bravado and derision. She mocked the French president, calling him “just a weenie. A big weenie pants.” Owens further speculated, “He’s probably going to include that somewhere else in a lawsuit when he refiles… It’s so pathetic to look at this man go around and try to explain, like you can truly just understand that they’re all actors. They’re just actors.”

Her comments, laced with sarcasm, quickly drew attention on social media, with supporters praising her candor and critics denouncing her as disrespectful and inflammatory.

“Defending My Honor”: Macron’s Firm Stance

During the same Paris Match interview, Macron was asked whether he would pursue the lawsuit to its conclusion, regardless of the challenges. His reply was unequivocal: “Of course! It’s about defending my honor! Because it’s nonsense.”

He went on to accuse Owens of knowingly spreading false information “in the service of an ideology,” and alleged that her claims were made in collusion with unspecified “connections.”

Questions About the Media—and the Real Target?

Owens didn’t stop at criticizing Macron. She also questioned the integrity of Paris Match journalist Darius Rochebin, who conducted the interview. On her podcast, Owens dismissed him as a “state performer” and accused him of failing to ask tough questions.

“And of course, this journalist, because he’s a state performer. That’s how you get these interviews with presidents. You have to be willing to just look at them and say, ‘You’re amazing. You’re so sparkly.’ Especially in Europe. Of course, the journalist Darius never asks the obvious questions here,” she alleged.

Owens then pressed why Rochebin didn’t ask Macron to take the “easier path” and simply publish photos of Brigitte Macron from the “first 30 years of her life”—a demand Owens has made repeatedly, despite privacy and ethical concerns.

She also questioned why Macron hadn’t sued French journalist Xavier Poussard, whose book Becoming Brigitte is the origin of many of the rumors Owens has amplified. “You’re saying the series became so big in America? Well, that series was based on the book, which was written by a French citizen, who we therefore have some level of dominion over. Yep, we are French. Yes, you are the French president. Xavier Poussard is a sitting duck. He is French. Sue him first for defamation. No, no, no, no, no, no. They didn’t ask that question,” Owens said.

The Poussard Angle

Owens noted that she had hosted Poussard on her podcast to discuss his book. She pointed out that the Macrons had not filed a defamation lawsuit against him, but instead pursued a cyberbullying case in France. This, she argued, undercut the seriousness of their legal strategy in the US and suggested selective targeting.

The Bigger Picture: Truth, Defamation, and the Court of Public Opinion

This transatlantic drama highlights the complex interplay between free speech, defamation, and the global reach of digital media. For the Macrons, the lawsuit is about “enforcing the truth” and pushing back against the weaponization of misinformation. For Owens, it’s a battle over free expression and her right to question powerful figures—even if her claims are widely debunked.

Legal experts note that the case could set important precedents. Defamation laws in the US and France differ significantly, with the US providing broader protections for speech, especially regarding public figures. The outcome could influence future cross-border defamation actions involving celebrities and politicians.

Social Media Reacts

Unsurprisingly, the feud has ignited fierce debate online. Supporters of Macron applaud his decision to defend his wife and reputation, while Owens’ followers see her as a free speech champion standing up to political elites. The hashtag #BigWeeniePants trended briefly, illustrating how quickly serious issues can become fodder for meme culture.

As the legal battle unfolds, one thing is clear: the lines between personal, political, and media battles have never been blurrier. In an age when rumors can go viral and reputations can be attacked from thousands of miles away, the Macron-Owens saga is a case study in the challenges of defending truth—and honor—in the digital era.