Yes, public figures may sue for defamation. However, because of their public status and influence, they are held to the higher standard of actual malice principles. In defamation law, actual malice is a higher standard of evidence that is applied to public figures and officials in which reckless disregard of known falsity must be proven if they are to sue for defamation. In other words, they will need to prove that the statement made against them contains actual malice that is intended to harm their reputations.