Macrons Sue Candace Owens Over Conspiracy Theories

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have filed a defamation lawsuit in the US against right-wing podcaster Candace Owens, concerning the claim that Brigitte Macron is a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux.

The lawsuit targets the "false and destructive rumors" circulating online. The Macrons had previously taken legal action in 2022 against Roy and Rey, who spread the rumors in France. They were initially convicted but acquitted on appeal.

The conspiracy theory originated in 2021 in France, amid distrust of politicians following the pandemic. Emmanuelle Anizon, a journalist, reports that the rumor has been viewed over a billion times.

The lawsuit states that Jean-Michel Trogneux is Brigitte Macron's brother, who was present at Emmanuel Macron's inaugurations.

Brigitte Macron has also filed a lawsuit for online harassment, with the trial scheduled for October in Paris.