Who Is Candace Owens? US Commentator Sued By French President, First Lady

American influencer Candace Owens has landed in legal trouble for allegedly suggesting that France's First Lady Brigitte Macron was "born a man" and that French president Emmanuel Macron was a product of a CIA human experiment or “a similar government mind control programme”. Known for her controversial conservative ideologies, Owens released a podcast series titled ‘Becoming Brigitte’, alleging that the French First Lady was born as a biological male. A 219-page defamation suit, lodged in a Delaware state court, accuses her of spreading false information to allegedly boost her personal brand, attract attention, and generate income. 

In response, Owens doubled down on her allegations, saying, "If you need any more evidence that Brigitte Macron is definitely a man, it is just what is happening right now. The idea that you would file this lawsuit is all of the proof that you need... I'm sorry, my friend, the train has left the station... We're not going to shut up. You’re not going to bully us. I find this all to be irresistible and delicious."

This comes amid a controversy fueled by influencers Amandine Roy and Natacha Rey, who earlier claimed in a podcast that Brigitte Macron was born as a boy named Jean-Michel Trogneux and assumed her 'new identity' through 'fraudulent means'. The two women were recently cleared of defamation charges by a Paris court. Notably, Brigitte Macron has a brother named Jean-Michel.

Who is Candace Owens?

Candace Owens is an outspoken conservative activist and commentator from the US. Born in New York and raised in Connecticut, she pursued journalism at the University of Rhode Island and left to follow her passion for marketing. She has earned social media popularity for her sharp and often controversial critique of liberal ideologies. She reportedly has a net worth of around $5 million, accumulated through her book sales, digital media ventures, sponsorships, etc.

In 2015, Owens launched her marketing firm, Degree180. A year later, she launched SocialAutopsy, a website aimed at exposing online bullies. She later joined the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA as Communications Director, becoming a prominent figure among pro-Donald Trump circles. She has publicly criticised COVID-19 mandates, vaccine regulations, the Black Lives Matter movement, and lax immigration policies.

Owens released a documentary, The Greatest Lie Ever Sold, in 2022 and authored the book Blackout. She also co-founded the now-defunct "anti-woke" bank GloriFi, and promoted the “Freedom Phone.” In 2024, she launched her independent podcast. Owens publicly converted to Catholicism in 2024, calling it “a homecoming.” She is married to George Farmer, a British-American businessman and the son of politician Michael Farmer. They live in Tennessee with their daughter and three sons.