Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, are planning to present photographic and scientific evidence to a US court to prove Mrs. Macron is a woman.
Their lawyer indicates the couple is responding to a defamation suit against right-wing influencer Candace Owens, who has asserted that Brigitte Macron was born male. Owens' claims have stirred public debate and prompted the Macrons to seek legal recourse.
Macron's lawyer, Tom Clare, explained on the BBC's Fame Under Fire podcast that the allegations have been 'incredibly upsetting' for Mrs. Macron and a distraction for President Macron himself.
Clare noted, 'I don't want to suggest that it somehow has thrown him off his game. But just like anybody who is juggling a career and a family life as well, when your family is under attack, it wears on you.'
He elaborated that the couple is prepared to provide 'expert testimony that will come out that will be scientific in nature,' emphasizing their commitment to set the record straight regarding Brigitte's identity.
When asked whether the Macrons would share images of Brigitte during her pregnancy and raising their children, Clare confirmed such evidence exists and will be presented in court, adhering to legal standards.
Owens has made headlines, repeatedly asserting that Brigitte Macron is a man, claims she first propagated in fringe online circles. Her rhetoric has faced criticism, including from Emmanuel Macron himself, who defended his wife's honor in statements made to the media.
Despite an initial win in a French court against similar allegations, an appeal overturned that ruling, leading the Macrons to pursue legal action against Owens in the U.S.
This defamation case raises significant issues about free speech, public figures, and the spread of misinformation, as plaintiffs in the U.S. must demonstrate that defendants acted with actual malice when disseminating false information.
