NASHVILLE — November 10, 2026. French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron have filed a new federal defamation lawsuit against American commentator Candace Owens in Tennessee, following a jurisdictional setback in their earlier Delaware litigation.
The new case, Macron et al. v. Owens, was filed November 4 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, case 3:26-cv-01765. Its existence is confirmed by the federal docket listing. The November 10 development is new public reporting about its contents, rather than a filing made Tuesday.
What the plaintiffs allege
The Macrons say Owens has spread false and damaging narratives about Brigitte Macron and their family, seeking damages and restrictions on further defamatory publication. Reuters reports that the new complaint addresses content associated with a doll used in Owens’ commentary.
The claims are allegations made by the plaintiffs, not findings by a judge. The couple’s earlier Delaware suit encountered a ruling that Owens, a Tennessee resident, was not subject to personal jurisdiction there, while claims involving associated companies were treated separately.
Owens’ response
Owens acknowledged the latest lawsuit in a public social-media post and responded in a mocking tone, according to The Guardian. She disputes the Macrons’ account. Public commentary should not be mistaken for a formal legal response filed in the Tennessee case.
Why the venue matters
The move shows how questions of jurisdiction can shape defamation disputes involving international public figures and U.S.-based media personalities. The new filing will now face the ordinary stages of federal civil litigation, including service, responses and any motions challenging its legal sufficiency.
Sources: Tennessee federal docket; Reuters, November 10; The Guardian, November 10.