Candace Owens has once again become a focal point in international news, with her name trending prominently across UK search engines. Known for her provocative stances and outspoken commentary, the American political commentator and author finds herself attracting headlines in Britain, largely due to an ongoing lawsuit from French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte. This article explores her background, the recent controversies, and why Owens continues to shape debates—both in the UK and globally.
Rising to Prominence: Who is Candace Owens?
Born in White Plains, New York in 1989, Owens grew up in Connecticut where her early years were marked by resilience. As a victim of racist bullying during her high school years, she successfully won a settlement against her abusers, highlighting her willingness to stand up for herself early on. Owens briefly attended the University of Rhode Island before pursuing a career in marketing. By her mid-twenties, she had already founded a boutique agency and launched the now-defunct website SocialAutopsy, aimed at exposing cyberbullying.
However, it was her shift to political activism that truly brought her into the spotlight. As communications director for Turning Point USA—a conservative advocacy group—she received recognition for her vocal support of former US President Donald Trump and her sharp critiques of liberal policies. Owens’s public persona can be best described as resolutely conservative, challenging the mainstream discourse on race, identity, and social justice.
Polarising Views and Global Attention
Candace Owens is no stranger to controversy. She has consistently taken positions that many mainstream commentators avoid. Her unsparing criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement, dismissal of structural racism as a dominant force in US society, and her opposition to COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccination mandates have fed national debates and global headlines. Owens has repeatedly argued that issues such as white supremacy and police brutality are exaggerated in mainstream media, and she often accuses her critics of stifling genuine discussion.
Her statements rarely go unnoticed in the UK, a country that has seen its own reckonings with issues of race, free speech, and political correctness. British media and public figures have, on several occasions, referenced her opinions when discussing the UK’s own Black Lives Matter protests. Owens’s reach extends far beyond the United States, ensuring her voice influences cultural debates across the Atlantic.
The Macron Lawsuit: A Defamation Battle
The current cause of Owens’s international notoriety is a 22-count defamation lawsuit filed against her by France’s President and First Lady. The Macrons allege that Owens, through her podcast series “Becoming Brigitte,” promoted a false conspiracy theory, claiming Brigitte Macron was born male. According to legal filings, the series and associated content spread “verifiably false and devastating lies” for personal notoriety and profit.
Candace Owens has dismissed the lawsuit publicly, claiming she is being targeted for discussing what she calls legitimate public interest topics. Owens has responded defiantly through her platforms, saying she intends to defend her right to free speech, while the Macrons argue that her campaign has caused genuine distress for their family. Legal experts note that the case, though filed in the US, could have broader repercussions for cross-border defamation and the responsibilities of global media influencers.
On the Radar: UK Connections and Media Influence
Owens’s UK profile has grown for reasons beyond her current legal trouble. Her husband, George Farmer, is a British entrepreneur and former chairman of Turning Point UK, the British offshoot of her earlier employer. This connection has granted her access to UK media circuits and led to regular engagement with British conservative groups and commentators. Farmer’s own background in UK politics and business further cements Owens’s relevance for a UK audience. The couple, who married in 2019, resides between the US and UK, further embedding Owens’s perspectives within British discourse.
Her influence is evident in UK-related debates about so-called “culture wars,” with her views often cited by both supporters and detractors in Parliament and the press. Her positions on gender, transgender rights, and free speech have resonated particularly loudly at a time when the UK is grappling with its own discussions of identity and social cohesion. Owens’s assertion, for example, that supporting trans people constitutes an “erasure” of women’s rights, regularly sparks debate among British feminists and campaigners.
A Record of Divisive Commentary
Throughout her career, Owens has been criticised for remarks many consider inflammatory or factually questionable. Examples include her comments on George Floyd and police brutality, which have drawn public condemnation in both US and UK media. Her dismissal of the role of racism in some of the highest-profile US cases has often conflicted with the consensus of British anti-racism advocates and politicians.
Additionally, Owens’s scepticism towards feminist movements and her vocal opposition to abortion rights puts her at odds with many mainstream political actors in the UK, where both abortion access and women’s rights enjoy broad cross-party support.
Business Ventures and Media Reach
Beyond politics, Owens has cultivated an entrepreneurial and media profile. She has produced documentaries, authored bestselling books including “Blackout,” and hosted high-profile talk shows on platforms like PragerU and The Daily Wire. She was dismissed from The Daily Wire in early 2024 following disagreements with other team members, including co-founder Ben Shapiro, and allegations of antisemitic comments. Since then, she has gone independent, amassing millions of followers across YouTube and social media platforms. Her estimated net worth, sourced from book sales, sponsorships, and branded merchandise, hovers around £4 million.
Her recent projects include launching a podcast that quickly drew a large audience on both sides of the Atlantic. By February 2025, her YouTube channel counted more than 3.8 million subscribers, making her one of the most influential right-wing commentators globally.
Conclusion:
Candace Owens remains a divisive figure, as likely to be met with applause as with condemnation on these shores. Her journey from cyberbullying victim to high-profile commentator underscores the complexity of 21st-century media landscapes. As her legal battle with the Macrons unfolds, Owens’s role in shaping global culture wars remains assured. What is clear is that, for British audiences, her story is far from over—and its lessons for speech, accountability, and influence are only beginning to emerge.
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