Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, have filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States against rightwing podcaster Candace Owens, targeting the false claim that Brigitte Macron was born a man. The lawsuit, announced this week, describes the allegations as 'verifiably false and devastating lies' that have led to 'relentless bullying on a worldwide scale'.
The claim that Brigitte Macron, 72, is actually a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux originated in France in 2021, during a period of heightened distrust in politicians following the gilets jaunes protests and the Covid-19 pandemic. The rumour went viral after a four-hour YouTube interview in December 2021, in which self-described independent journalist Natacha Rey alleged that the first lady was transgender. The video garnered 500,000 views within hours.
Emmanuelle Anizon, a journalist who investigated the rumour, said it has become 'one of the biggest fake news stories worldwide', with an estimated one billion people exposed to it. She noted that the Macrons' legal action marks the first time President Macron has joined his wife in pursuing a defamation case. The lawsuit states that Jean-Michel Trogneux is actually Brigitte's older brother, who was present at both of Macron's presidential inaugurations.
Owens, whose podcast reaches millions, has defended her claims, stating she stands by her narrative. The Macrons' legal move highlights the broader challenge of combating conspiracy theories that cross borders, with the false narrative rooted in French societal distrust of institutions. Brigitte Macron and her brother previously filed a defamation complaint in France in 2022, but the US lawsuit represents a new phase in their legal battle.
