By Jordan Lee, Wilmington, DE A new twist came in a high-profile case. Conservative influencer Candace Owens fights a defamation suit. The suit comes from France’s first couple. Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte sued her. They claim she spread lies. Now Owens says the Delaware court has no power. She calls it “libel tourism.” This means foreign people use U.S. courts to silence speech.
The lawsuit started in July. Owens runs a popular podcast. It is called “Candace.” She has millions of fans. In one episode, she said big things. She claimed Brigitte Macron is not who she says. Owens said the first lady was born a man. She called it “Becoming Brigitte.” This came from old rumors. They started in 2021. Some say Brigitte is her brother in disguise. But facts show she was born a woman. She has kids from before. The Macrons say these lies hurt them bad. They face bullying online. It spreads worldwide.
The couple filed in Delaware Superior Court. Why there? Owens has companies in the state. They are incorporated there. This gives a legal tie. The suit is 218 pages long. It has 22 counts. Like defamation and false light. They want big damages. Their lawyer is Tom Clare. He works at Clare Locke. He said it is a clear case. Owens used fake stories from a medium. And a so-called journalist. The Macrons tried to talk first. They asked her to stop. She did not. So they sued.
Owens lives in Nashville. She records there. She hit back hard. On social media, she said “see you in court.” Her team calls it an attack. They say it hurts free speech. The First Amendment protects her. As a public figure, the Macrons must prove malice. That means Owens knew it was false. Or did not care.
Now the fight is about jurisdiction. Owens filed a motion last week. She wants the case thrown out. She says Delaware has no link. She does not live there. The Macrons are in France. No witnesses or proof are in the state. All her work is online. It reaches everywhere. But that does not tie to Delaware. She calls it a stunt. The Macrons pick the state to scare her. It is “quintessential libel tourism.” This term means powerful people sue in places with strong free speech laws. They win easy. Then use it to quiet talk back home.
Her lawyer argues more. The case should go to Florida. Why? Some parts link there. But details are not clear yet. Owens says the suit is to stop her comments. Not just about lies. It targets her fans too. She has a big following. Many are conservative. They share her views.
The court is the Chancery Court. It handles business cases. Vice Chancellor Lori W. Will will decide. She is known for tough calls. The motion is new. No ruling yet. But experts watch close. If Owens wins, it sets rules. For online speech and foreign suits. U.S. courts often protect speech. But defamation has limits.
This is not the first for the Macrons. In France, Brigitte sued two women. They spread the same rumor. A Paris court fined them last year. But an appeals court overturned it this month. Now it goes higher. The couple wants truth out. They say evidence shows Brigitte is a woman. Always was.
Owens is no stranger to fights. She left The Daily Wire this year. Over views on Israel. She backs Trump. And questions many things. Like Epstein links. Her podcast grows. This suit might boost it. Fans rally online. They call it censorship.
Legal experts split. Some say jurisdiction is weak. Delaware ties are thin. Others say companies there mean it stays. The case could move slow. Months or years. A jury trial might come. The Macrons say they will travel. For justice.
This story shows big issues. Free speech vs. reputation. Online lies spread fast. Foreign leaders use U.S. courts. Is it fair? Or abuse? Owens fights for her rights. The Macrons seek peace. The Delaware court decides next.
Fans wait. More news will come. For now, the motion sits. It tests limits of law and speech.