bbc.com
Macrons Sue Candace Owens for Defamation Over False Gender Claims
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte are suing US conservative commentator Candace Owens for defamation in Delaware after she repeatedly claimed on social media and her podcast that Brigitte Macron was born male, a claim the Macrons say is false and damaging.
- How did the spread of this conspiracy theory through social media contribute to the legal action taken by the Macrons?
- The lawsuit highlights the global reach and impact of online disinformation. Owens's claims, shared with her nearly 7 million X followers, were part of a broader pattern of promoting conspiracy theories. This case underscores the legal challenges in combating online falsehoods and their potential to damage reputations, even those of world leaders.
- What are the immediate consequences of the Macron's defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens regarding the false claims about Brigitte Macron's gender?
- French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, have filed a defamation lawsuit against conservative social media personality Candace Owens in Delaware, USA, on July 23rd, 2025. The lawsuit alleges that Owens spread "strange, defamatory, and untrue fabrications" claiming Brigitte Macron was born male. Owens has repeatedly promoted this conspiracy theory across her podcast and social media, and the Macrons state they repeatedly requested she retract her statements before taking legal action.
- What are the potential long-term implications of this lawsuit on the spread of online disinformation and the accountability of social media personalities?
- This legal action may set a precedent for holding social media influencers accountable for false statements with international implications. The outcome could influence how platforms regulate the spread of misinformation and how individuals are held responsible for its consequences. The case's success hinges on proving "actual malice" under US law, a high bar for defamation suits.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and opening paragraphs immediately present Owens's claims as false and defamatory, setting a negative tone from the outset. The article prioritizes the Macrons' perspective and their legal action, emphasizing their distress and portraying Owens as a malicious actor. The article's structure leads the reader to view Owens's statements unfavorably before presenting any context or counterarguments.
Language Bias
The article uses terms like "outlandish," "defamatory," and "false fabrications" to describe Owens's claims, which carry negative connotations and suggest pre-judgment. Neutral alternatives could include phrasing like "unsubstantiated claims," "allegations," or "statements." Repeated use of "iddialar" (claims in Turkish) throughout the text also emphasizes the negative framing.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the lawsuit and Candace Owens's claims, but omits potential counterarguments or perspectives from those defending Owens's statements. It doesn't explore the broader context of online misinformation campaigns or the potential impact of such lawsuits on freedom of speech. The article also omits details about the evidence the Macrons intend to present in court to refute Owens's claims.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplified view of the situation, framing it as a clear-cut case of defamation. It doesn't fully explore the complexities of free speech, the potential for satire or parody to be misinterpreted, or the difficulty in proving malicious intent in such cases. The narrative implicitly positions the Macrons' actions as righteous and Owens's as unequivocally wrong.
Gender Bias
The article focuses on the lawsuit and the public figures involved, with little attention to broader gender dynamics. While the controversy centers around the First Lady, the article's analysis doesn't explicitly address any gender bias in the underlying claims or the media's coverage of similar controversies. There is no evidence of gender bias in the writing.
Sustainable Development Goals
The false claims made by Candace Owens about Brigitte Macron are a form of gender-based harassment and disinformation that undermine the dignity and respect of women in public life. Such actions perpetuate harmful stereotypes and can discourage women from pursuing leadership roles. The lawsuit is a response to this harmful behavior, aiming to protect the reputation and integrity of Brigitte Macron and to combat the spread of misinformation.