French Court Limits Candace Owens’s Liability in Macron Defamation Case

A French judge has ruled that the court has jurisdiction over Candace Owens’s companies but not Owens personally in a defamation lawsuit brought by President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte. The Macrons sued Owens in 2025 over statements she made regarding Brigitte Macron’s gender. The ruling narrows the scope of the case, focusing legal responsibility on Owens’s corporate entities rather than the commentator herself. The decision is significant because it tests the reach of French defamation law against foreign media figures and their business structures. It also underscores the Macron family’s aggressive legal strategy against online misinformation. While Owens may avoid personal liability in this jurisdiction, her companies could still face penalties, and the ruling may influence how other public figures pursue similar claims. The case highlights the tension between free speech and defamation in the digital age, especially when commentary crosses international borders.