Why is the French president suing Candace Owens?

为何法国总统起诉坎达斯·欧文斯?

The Global Story

2025-10-28

29 分钟
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单集简介 ...

The controversial right-wing podcaster Candace Owens is being sued by the French president and his wife in a US court. The Macrons are accusing Owens of spreading a conspiracy theory that Brigitte Macron was born a man. So where has this theory come from? We speak to the BBC’s Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty, host of the Fame Under Fire podcast, about what the Macrons are risking by filing the lawsuit – and whether it’s only adding more fuel to the flames. Producers: Sam Chantarasak and Lucy Pawle Executive producer: Annie Brown Senior news editor: China Collins Mix: Travis Evans Image: Candace Owens. Rebecca Cook/Reuters.
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  • There's a conspiracy theory that's been kicking around in far right spaces in France for a few years now It's about the French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Specifically that Brigitte was born a man and has been hiding her identity for decades Now I've lived in Paris for a long time and I used to cover French politics and I should say that as far as I'm aware There is zero evidence that supports this theory And actually,

  • I find it quite cruel.

  • When I was reporting from Paris, I never paid any attention to it,

  • and I'd sort of roll my eyes whenever it would come up.

  • In the last year, though, it's been picked up by the right-wing podcaster Candice Owens.

  • The biggest political scandal ever.

  • And no, I am not being dramatic.

  • If what is happening right now in France is real,

  • and I can tell you right now, I firmly believe that it is.

  • Then barring political assassinations,

  • this is potentially the biggest political scandal that has ever happened in the history of the world.

  • Now, the French president and his wife Brigitte are suing Candace Owens in Delaware.

  • The defamation suit which was filed last week in Delaware claims that Owens has engaged in a,

  • quote, relentless and unjustified smear campaign, unquote.

  • Their claim accuses Owens of publishing a conspiracy theory which they say has caused them tremendous damage by subjecting them to global humiliation.

  • And the French president, Emmanuel Macron,

  • and his wife are planning to present photographic and scientific evidence to the US court to prove that Brigitte Macron is a woman.

  • Opening them up to a massive showdown that in the court of public perception is perhaps impossible to win.

  • I am fully prepared to take on this battle.

  • On behalf of the entire world, I will see you in court.