Brigitte Macron Gender Conspiracy Theory Amasses Millions of Views, Leads to US Defamation Lawsuit

A series by American political commentator Candace Owens, titled "Becoming Brigitte," which falsely asserts that France's First Lady Brigitte Macron is a biological male, has garnered millions of views on YouTube. These claims, widely debunked, have prompted a significant legal response from the Macrons, who have filed a defamation lawsuit against Owens in the United States.

The conspiracy theory, which originated in France in 2021, gained renewed international prominence through Owens' eight-part video series. According to the tweet from @Coldxman (Coleman Hughes), the core assertion is entirely false. The Macrons' lawsuit, filed in Delaware, alleges that Owens has engaged in a "relentless year-long campaign of defamation," using these "outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions" to promote her platform and gain notoriety.

The false narrative suggests Brigitte Macron was born Jean-Michel Trogneux, the name of her actual older brother. This theory was initially propagated by French individuals Natacha Rey and Amandine Roy, who faced legal action in France. While a lower French court initially found them guilty, an appeals court recently acquitted them, a decision Brigitte Macron has appealed to France's highest court.

The Macrons' legal team stated they provided Owens with "incontrovertible evidence" disproving her allegations, including proof that Mrs. Macron was born a woman. Despite these efforts, Owens has reportedly doubled down on her claims, even creating merchandise related to the false narrative. French President Emmanuel Macron has previously addressed the widespread misinformation, describing it as disruptive to their private lives.

The lawsuit against Owens seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, highlighting the "tremendous damage" and "campaign of global humiliation" the couple has endured. This legal battle underscores the growing challenge of combating widespread online misinformation targeting public figures.