Candace Owens Sued by Macrons: Culture War Martyr or Brand Unraveling?

Candace Owens BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

The world watched in disbelief this week as Candace Owens, the conservative firebrand and podcast host, became the target of a blockbuster defamation lawsuit filed by French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. The Macrons allege that Owens waged a campaign of humiliation by promoting conspiracy theories that Brigitte is a man, asserting this not just on her widely-followed podcast but also across her social media. USA Today details that Owens, undeterred, dedicated a lengthy July 24 episode of her podcast ripping into the case and the French first couple, making it clear she intends to fight both in court and in public. Instead of backing down, she doubled down, claiming the suit is nothing but a desperate PR stunt and even called them “sick” and “disgusting.” On social media, her followers rallied, using hashtags like #FreeEmmanuel—though in a twist of grifter chic, Owens is now reportedly hawking $30 “Free Emmanuel” merchandise and openly asking for aid from Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, notes Marc Lamont Hill’s commentary. So far, neither has bitten.

The lawsuit itself is remarkable for its scale and targets, not only naming Owens individually but going after her companies. CFC Underwriting, a media liability firm, characterizes this as a wake-up call for podcasters everywhere: industry norms are shifting fast, and reckless commentary can now drag entire enterprises into court, not just their loudest voices.

French President Macron broke precedent by speaking out in a Paris Match interview, explaining why the lawsuit was inevitable—Owens’s claims had reached such prominence in the U.S. that silence was no longer an option. He called her behavior a relentless smear campaign, and the suit references specific months-long patterns, screenshots, and archived posts.

Meanwhile, Owens has kept circulating in the U.S. press and right-wing podcast circuits, giving interviews—including a recent one with popular platforms like The Joe Budden Podcast. She’s used these appearances to further her talking points and portray herself as the underdog persecuted for “just asking questions.” Speculation is rampant online about whether this lawsuit marks the unraveling of her brand or a lucrative new chapter as a culture war martyr, but there’s no substantive reporting—yet—of any retreat or softening of tone.

As Owens pivots, leveraging her notoriety to boost show sponsors and merchandise, online critics and supporters continue to dissect every move. The next court date looms, and with her provocative statements still flowing, this saga is far from over. If past battles serve as any indicator, Candace Owens is likely to turn every headline—friendly or furious—into more fuel for her relentless brand.

Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta