Candace Owens, the 36-year-old American right-wing commentator, has built a media empire by promoting conspiracy theories, which she describes as 'mind yoga'. Her podcast attracts millions of followers with a 'just asking questions' approach, covering topics from vaccines to climate change. However, her latest claims have led to legal trouble and alienated former allies.
In summer 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte filed a defamation lawsuit against Owens for repeatedly alleging that Brigitte Macron was born male. The couple accused her of 'a campaign of global humiliation'. This followed a separate criminal case in Paris where ten people were found guilty of cyberbullying over similar comments, receiving penalties including suspended prison sentences.
Owens escalated her claims in November, alleging that the Macrons attempted to orchestrate her assassination, a statement dismissed as fake news by the French National Gendarmerie Intervention Group. She also stirred controversy around the death of her former boss, Charlie Kirk, suggesting it was an 'inside job' involving Turning Point employees, prompting criticism from Kirk's producer Blake Neff.
Owens's background includes experiencing racist bullying and receiving death threats in high school, leading to a settlement with the Stamford Board of Education. She initially sympathised with Democrats before pivoting to hard-right politics. Her career began with an internship at American Vogue and work in private equity before co-founding a marketing agency.
