In a remarkable and historic legal intervention, French President Emmanuel Macron has taken formal steps to debunk a persistent conspiracy theory targeting his wife, Brigitte. The Élysée Palace has submitted a comprehensive dossier of medical and genetic evidence to a US court, definitively proving that the First Lady was not born male.
The Unprecedented Legal Strategy
The Macrons' decision to engage directly with the US legal system marks a dramatic escalation in their battle against baseless online rumours. The evidence, presented in a Texas court, includes detailed medical records and genetic analysis that conclusively refute the false claims that have circulated for years, particularly within far-right American circles.
A source close to the French presidency stated the move was necessary to "put an end to this vile smear campaign once and for all." The court submission is believed to be a response to specific legal proceedings where the conspiracy theory was being leveraged.
A Conspiracy Theory's Toxic Journey
The false claim that Brigitte Macron is transgender, often accompanied by the derogatory hashtag #BrigitteTrogneux, originated in the fever swamps of the French far-right before being amplified by international alt-right networks and high-profile American conspiracy theorists.
This baseless narrative gained significant traction online, becoming a staple of misinformation campaigns aimed at undermining President Macron. The couple has faced relentless harassment, with the abuse intensifying during election periods.
Why a US Court?
The choice to file evidence in an American court, rather than a French one, is highly significant. Legal experts suggest it targets the conspiracy theory at one of its main sources—the United States—where defamation laws are notably different from those in Europe.
This transatlantic legal manoeuvre is seen as a strategic attempt to create a formal, internationally recognised record of truth that can be cited to compel social media platforms to remove the defamatory content more aggressively under their own policies.
Broader Implications for Public Figures
President Macron's direct action sets a powerful new precedent for how world leaders and public figures can combat digitally-born disinformation. It moves beyond public statements and libel lawsuits into the realm of formal, scientific rebuttal.
This case raises critical questions about the limits of personal privacy for public figures and the extreme lengths to which they must now go to protect their reputations from globally disseminated falsehoods. The Macrons' fight is being closely watched as a potential blueprint for others in an era of rampant online conspiracy theories.
