Macron Sues Influencer Who Calls French First Lady Brigitte Born As A Man
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States against far-right influencerERN Owens who called the French first lady born male.
Macron's family said in a lawsuit filed in Delaware's High Court that Owens launched claims full of lies and relentless bullying to promote his podcast and expand his "crazy" fan base.
Macron's family said the lies included the issue of Brigitte Macron, 52, born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, his older brother's real name.
"Every time Macron's family leaves their homes, they do so knowing that many people have heard, and many believe this heinous lie," the lawsuit said.
"It's invasive, inhumane, and very unfair," the lawsuit continued.
Owens did not immediately respond to a Reuters request in an email. Macron's office declined to comment.
The lawsuit contains 22 demands demanding compensation and punishment in an undetermined amount.
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This Wednesday's lawsuit is a rare case in which a world leader sued for defamation.
US President Donald Trump filed several defamation lawsuits, including against the publisher of The Wall Street Journal last week.
In order to win in the case of defamation in the US, community leaders such as Macron and Trump must show the defendants are involved in "act malicious intent," meaning they know what they publish is fake or ignore the truth recklessly.