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From conspiracy theories to US defamation suits, how France’s First Couple ended up in court over Brigitte Macron’s identity.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron are being compelled to present “proof” of her womanhood after years of persistent conspiracy theories. Their lawyer, Tom Clare, confirmed that the French leader intends to submit “photographic and scientific evidence” in a US court as part of a defamation case against American commentator Candace Owens.
Tom Clare explained that the French President would rely on pictures of Brigitte Macron during pregnancy and raising her children. Speaking on a BBC podcast, he said, “These folks are obviously important on the world stage, but they’re also human beings, and it’s offensive and hurtful to them to be accused of effectively criminal acts and conspiring to lie to the world about their identities. It is incredibly upsetting to think that you have to go and subject yourself to put this type of proof forward.”
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How The Allegations Began?
The bizarre claims trace back to 2017, when French blogger Natacha Rey alleged that Brigitte Macron was in fact her own brother, Jean-Michel Trogneux, who had transitioned and assumed a new identity. She later repeated the accusation in a 2021 interview with a spiritual medium, Amandine Roy. That video went viral just months before the 2022 French presidential election, intensifying online speculation. Natacha Rey even cited a supposed childhood photo of Brigitte’s brother that she argued bore resemblance to the First Lady.
The Macrons swiftly sued Natacha Rey and Amandine Roy for defamation, initially winning in September 2024. However, the Paris Court of Appeal overturned that ruling in July 2025, stating the remarks were made in “good faith” and did not constitute defamation.
What Is Candace Owens’ Role In The Row?
The controversy reignited when US far-right commentator Candace Owens picked up the claims in 2024. With over four million YouTube subscribers, Candace Owens repeatedly alleged that France’s First Lady is a man, even pledging her “entire professional reputation” on the assertion. In July 2025, the Macrons filed a defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens after a year of unsuccessfully urging her to retract. Their lawyer described the move as a “last resort”. Candace Owens dismissed the case as a “desperate public relations strategy” and derisively referred to Brigitte Macron as a “very goofy man”.
What Happens Next?
As the defamation trial against Candace Owens progresses in the United States, the Macrons find themselves in the extraordinary position of having to defend the First Lady’s gender in court. But their legal team has said that presenting intimate family photographs and medical evidence is both humiliating and necessary to halt the spread of the conspiracy.
September 19, 2025, 15:33 IST
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