In an extraordinary move that underscores the severe personal and political ramifications of online disinformation, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, are preparing to present an extensive array of evidence in a United States court to unequivocally prove the First Lady’s biological sex. This unprecedented legal action stems from a persistent and deeply damaging conspiracy theory asserting that Mrs. Macron was born male, a claim that has proliferated across various online platforms, reaching millions of users globally. The Macrons’ decision to pursue this path highlights the profound impact such allegations can have on public figures, necessitating a robust and scientifically grounded defense against claims that challenge fundamental aspects of personal identity.
The couple’s lawyer, Tom Clare, has confirmed their intention to introduce both photographic and scientific evidence, including expert testimony, to refute these allegations. This commitment to a rigorous evidentiary presentation reflects the gravity with which the Macrons view the situation, recognizing the need to definitively ‘set the record straight’ through formal legal channels. The case in the U.S. against the right-wing influencer Candace Owens, who has repeatedly amplified these claims, represents a significant front in the broader battle against the spread of false information and its potential to inflict substantial personal and reputational harm.
This in-depth article will delve into the multifaceted dimensions of this ongoing legal saga, exploring the origins of the allegations, the personal toll they have taken on the Macrons, the complexities of the legal strategies being employed in both France and the United States, and the unprecedented nature of the evidence slated for presentation. Through a comprehensive examination, we aim to provide a clear and authoritative understanding of this high-profile case, which has drawn international attention to the challenges of combating defamation in the digital age.
1. **The Core Allegation: An Unfounded Claim of Misgendered Identity**
At the heart of the ongoing controversy is a pervasive and profoundly baseless claim: the allegation that Brigitte Macron, France’s First Lady, was born male. This assertion, disseminated widely across fringe online spaces and subsequently amplified by influential figures, posits a narrative entirely detached from verifiable reality. Such a claim not only misrepresents a public figure’s personal history but also contributes to a climate of gender-based misinformation that can have far-reaching societal consequences.
The specific nature of the allegation often includes assertions that Mrs. Macron, whose maiden name was Trogneux, was born Jean-Michel Trogneux and later transitioned to female. This narrative is typically intertwined with other unsubstantiated claims, such as the notion that she ‘groomed’ a teenage Emmanuel Macron before her supposed transition. The combination of these elements forms a highly inflammatory and deeply personal attack designed to question her very identity and legitimacy as a public figure.
These claims are not merely speculative; they are presented as definitive ‘facts’ by their proponents, despite a complete lack of credible evidence. The Macrons’ decision to seek legal redress, including the presentation of scientific proof, underscores the severe and unprecedented nature of having to defend against an allegation that strikes at the fundamental truth of one’s biological sex, an aspect of identity that most individuals take for granted and would rarely expect to be publicly challenged.
2. **The Genesis of the Conspiracy: A 2021 YouTube Video**
The origins of the transphobic allegations against Brigitte Macron can be traced back to fringe online discourse, specifically gaining traction with a 2021 YouTube video. This video, produced by French bloggers Amandine Roy and Natacha Rey, served as a primary catalyst, introducing and popularizing the unfounded claim that France’s First Lady was born male. Its dissemination marked a significant turning point, moving the allegation from obscure online corners into broader public awareness.
Prior to this video, the notion of Mrs. Macron’s supposed male birth was largely confined to niche internet forums. However, the structured presentation within the YouTube content gave the conspiracy a veneer of credibility for some viewers, despite its reliance on speculation and misinterpretation rather than factual reporting. The platform’s reach allowed these claims to rapidly spread, sowing seeds of doubt and fueling further discussion among those susceptible to such narratives.
The viral nature of this particular piece of content illustrates the power of online media to amplify sensational and unsubstantiated claims. It underscores how easily a narrative, once introduced into the digital ecosystem, can be replicated and reinterpreted, evolving into a widely accepted ‘truth’ within certain communities, regardless of its factual basis. The Macrons’ subsequent legal actions reflect a direct response to the damage initiated by such digital content creators.
3. **Brigitte Macron’s Emotional Impact: ‘Incredibly Upsetting’ Personal Distress**
The personal toll inflicted by these persistent and baseless allegations on Brigitte Macron has been profound. Her lawyer, Tom Clare, explicitly stated that Mrs. Macron found the claims ‘incredibly upsetting,’ providing a clear insight into the emotional distress caused by the ongoing spread of misinformation about her identity. This sentiment underscores that beyond the public persona, there is a private individual deeply affected by these attacks.
Being subjected to public accusations that challenge one’s fundamental biological sex is an experience few could imagine, and the constant repetition of such claims can be deeply corrosive to personal well-being. The First Lady, who is a mother of three, has had her entire life story and identity distorted, forcing her into a position where she must publicly defend truths that should be self-evident. This emotional burden is not merely a fleeting inconvenience but a significant and continuous source of anguish.
Mr. Clare’s comments highlight the human element behind the headlines, reminding observers that public figures are not immune to the pain of personal attacks. The courage required for Mrs. Macron to confront such deeply personal and offensive allegations in a very public legal setting speaks volumes about her resolve to protect her integrity and combat the damaging effects of these lies, despite the immense personal discomfort it entails.
4. **President Macron’s Concern: A ‘Distraction’ and Emotional Toll**
The impact of the transphobic allegations extends beyond Brigitte Macron, significantly affecting President Emmanuel Macron as well. Their lawyer, Tom Clare, characterized the claims as a ‘distraction’ for the French president, acknowledging that even a national leader is not immune to the pressures and emotional toll exacted by attacks on his family. This revelation offers a glimpse into the personal cost of public office when faced with deeply personal smear campaigns.
Mr. Clare articulated the sentiment, stating, ‘I don’t want to suggest that it somehow has thrown him off his game. But just like anybody who is juggling a career and a family life as well, when your family is under attack, it wears on you. And he’s not immune from that because he’s the president of a country.’ This explanation humanizes the leader, emphasizing that despite his prominent role on the world stage, he remains a human being susceptible to the emotional strains of personal attacks on loved ones.
For President Macron, these allegations are not merely political noise but a direct affront to his personal life and the honor of his wife. His decision to support and engage in legal action underscores the severity with which he perceives this ‘nonsense’ and his determination to protect his family from what he described in ‘Paris Match’ as claims made ‘with the aim of causing harm, in the service of an ideology and with established connections to far-right leaders.’ This demonstrates a clear understanding of the malicious intent behind the disinformation.
5. **French Legal Action and Outcome: Initial Win, Overturned on Appeal**
The Macrons’ legal battle against the propagation of these transphobic claims began on their home soil. In response to the initial 2021 YouTube video by French bloggers Amandine Roy and Natacha Rey, the First Couple pursued a defamation lawsuit in France. This legal action initially saw a favorable outcome for the Macrons, with a court ruling in their favor in 2024, signaling an early victory in their fight against the baseless allegations.
However, this initial triumph was short-lived. The ruling was subsequently overturned on appeal in 2025. The appellate court’s decision was not based on the truthfulness of the allegations themselves, but rather on grounds pertaining to freedom of expression. This legal nuance is critical, as it highlights the complexities of defamation law, particularly when balancing personal reputation against the principles of free speech, even for claims widely considered to be false and harmful.
The overturning of the French ruling presented a significant setback for the Macrons, demonstrating the legal challenges inherent in silencing even widely discredited conspiracy theories when they are framed within the context of free expression. This development underscored the need for a multi-pronged legal approach, potentially influencing their subsequent decision to pursue legal action in the United States where different legal standards apply.
6. **The Appeal in France: Ongoing Efforts to Contest the Ruling**
Following the overturning of their initial defamation win in France, the Macrons have demonstrated their unwavering resolve by choosing to appeal the decision. This ongoing legal maneuver signals their commitment to exhausting all available avenues within the French justice system to fully challenge the ruling that favored freedom of expression over their claims of defamation. Their persistence underscores the deep conviction that the allegations are not only false but also constitute a significant and actionable harm.
By appealing the 2025 decision, the Macrons are effectively seeking a higher court review of the legal interpretation that prioritized freedom of expression in this specific context. This step is crucial for them, as it represents a continued effort to establish a precedent that protects public figures from baseless and deeply personal attacks, even within the robust framework of free speech laws. Their legal team is undoubtedly working to differentiate the malicious spread of disinformation from legitimate critique.
This ongoing appeal in France runs parallel to their legal actions in the United States, illustrating a comprehensive strategy to combat the spread of these particular allegations across different jurisdictions. It emphasizes that the Macrons view this as a fundamental battle for truth and personal honor, refusing to concede defeat despite the complex legal landscape and the setbacks encountered in their home country.
7. **Candace Owens’ Amplification: Spreading the Allegations in the U.S.**
The trajectory of the allegations against Mrs. Macron took a significant international turn with the involvement of Candace Owens, a prominent right-wing influencer in the United States. Ms. Owens, who commands millions of followers across social media platforms, played a pivotal role in amplifying these unfounded claims beyond their initial fringe online spaces in France. Her considerable reach contributed to a wider dissemination of the conspiracy theory within American discourse, drawing international attention to a narrative that had previously been more localized.
Ms. Owens’ promotion of the claim became particularly emphatic in March 2024, when she explicitly stated on X, “I stake my entire professional reputation on the fact that Brigitte Macron is in fact a man.” This bold declaration underscored her commitment to the allegation, transforming it from mere speculation into a direct assertion from an influential figure. Such statements lent a veneer of credibility to the conspiracy for her audience, despite a complete absence of verifiable evidence.
By repeatedly promoting her belief that Brigitte Macron was born male, Ms. Owens effectively platformed what the Macrons’ lawsuit describes as the claims of “known conspiracy theorists and proven defamers.” Her actions demonstrate the powerful capacity of social media figures to globalize and intensify narratives, regardless of their factual basis, thereby contributing significantly to the challenges public figures face in controlling their personal and public identities in the digital age.
8. **The U.S. Defamation Lawsuit: Filing Against Candace Owens**
In a strategic escalation of their legal efforts, the Macrons filed a defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens in the United States in July. This action signaled a move beyond the French judicial system, where their initial victory had been overturned on appeal. The U.S. lawsuit specifically alleges that Ms. Owens “disregarded all credible evidence disproving her claim in favour of platforming known conspiracy theorists and proven defamers,” highlighting a deliberate intent to disseminate false information.
Ms. Owens’ legal team has since responded to this filing with a motion to dismiss the claim. Their argument centers on jurisdictional grounds, asserting that the case should not have been filed in Delaware because, as they contend, it does not directly relate to her businesses incorporated in that state. They further claim that compelling her to defend the case in Delaware would impose “substantial financial and operational hardship.”
Despite the legal maneuvers, Ms. Owens has publicly maintained her stance, stating her belief in the truthfulness of her claims. She has previously asserted that there is “nothing more American than free speech and the ability to criticise.” This position underscores a fundamental tension between robust protections for freedom of expression and the legal framework for combating defamation, particularly concerning public figures and widely circulated misinformation.
9. **The ‘Actual Malice’ Standard: A Key Hurdle in U.S. Law**
The Macrons’ defamation lawsuit in the United States introduces the complex legal requirement known as the “actual malice” standard, which is a crucial hurdle for public figures to overcome. In American defamation cases, particularly when the plaintiff is a public figure, it is not sufficient merely to prove that a statement was false and damaging. A higher evidentiary bar must be met to protect robust public discourse and freedom of the press.
Under this standard, plaintiffs like the Macrons are required to prove that the defendant, in this instance Candace Owens, knowingly spread false information or acted with a reckless disregard for the truth. This means demonstrating that Ms. Owens either knew her claims about Mrs. Macron’s biological sex were false when she made them, or that she entertained serious doubts about their veracity but proceeded to publish them anyway. The legal burden thus shifts significantly to proving the defendant’s state of mind.
President Macron’s remarks to ‘Paris Match’ in August align with the intent required by this standard. He stated that the lawsuit was “about defending my honour! Because this is nonsense. This is someone who knew full well that she had false information and did so with the aim of causing harm, in the service of an ideology and with established connections to far-right leaders.” These comments suggest a foundational argument for ‘actual malice,’ positioning Ms. Owens’ actions as deliberate and ideologically driven rather than merely mistaken.
10. **Scientific and Photographic Evidence: The Core of the Macrons’ Defense**
In an unprecedented move to counter the persistent and deeply personal allegations, President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, are preparing to introduce a comprehensive body of evidence in the U.S. court. Their lawyer, Tom Clare, has confirmed the couple’s intention to present both photographic and scientific evidence, which forms the bedrock of their defense against claims challenging Mrs. Macron’s biological sex.
Mr. Clare indicated that this evidence would include photographs of Brigitte Macron during her pregnancies and while raising her children. The existence of such images directly refutes the claims that she was born male, providing concrete visual documentation of her life as a biological woman and mother. These materials are intended to establish, without ambiguity, the factual reality of her identity within the structured environment of a court of law.
The commitment to presenting such profoundly personal documentation underscores the severe nature of the allegations. As Mr. Clare noted, “It is incredibly upsetting to think that you have to go and subject yourself, to put this type of proof forward.” The necessity of defending one’s fundamental biological identity in a public forum highlights the extraordinary lengths to which the Macrons are willing to go to combat the corrosive impact of online disinformation.
11. **Expert Testimony: Unveiling the Nature of the Proof**
Beyond photographic evidence, the Macrons’ legal strategy in the U.S. court will heavily rely on “expert testimony that will come out that will be scientific in nature.” This component is crucial for providing a robust, objective, and verifiable refutation of the transphobic allegations. Such testimony is expected to present irrefutable biological and medical facts supporting Mrs. Macron’s identity as a woman.
While the exact details of this scientific evidence were not disclosed by Mr. Clare, he assured that the couple is “prepared to demonstrate fully, both generically and specifically” that the allegations are false. This suggests a comprehensive approach, potentially involving medical evaluations, genetic information, or other biological markers that scientifically affirm her sex. The aim is to leave no room for doubt regarding the factual basis of her identity.
The introduction of expert scientific testimony elevates the legal battle beyond a mere clash of narratives. It positions the Macrons’ defense on a foundation of empirical truth, challenging the speculative and baseless nature of the conspiracy theory with verifiable data. This unprecedented use of scientific proof in a defamation case of this nature highlights the extremity of the claims being made and the thoroughness required to definitively address them.
12. **Personal Resolution: Brigitte Macron’s Willingness to Endure Public Scrutiny**
The decision by Brigitte Macron to pursue such a public and deeply personal legal battle reflects an extraordinary level of resolve in the face of relentless misinformation. Her lawyer, Tom Clare, conveyed the immense emotional toll these claims have exacted, stating that Mrs. Macron found the allegations “incredibly upsetting.” Despite this profound distress, she has chosen a path that requires significant personal exposure.
Mr. Clare explicitly noted Mrs. Macron’s willingness to endure the inherent “unpleasantness and that discomfort that she has of opening herself up in that way” in a very public judicial setting. He emphasized her firm commitment, stating, “She’s 100% ready to meet that burden” if it is what “it takes to set the record straight and stop this.” This demonstrates a formidable determination to confront and definitively halt the spread of these damaging lies.
Her courage in subjecting herself to this process, including the public presentation of intimate personal details and scientific proofs of her biological sex, underscores the severity with which she views the accusations. For Mrs. Macron, this is not merely a legal dispute but a fundamental defense of her identity and integrity, signaling a powerful stance against the malicious weaponization of gender-based misinformation in public life.
13. **Broader Implications: Combating Disinformation on a Global Stage**
The ongoing legal battle initiated by Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron transcends the personal defense of the First Lady’s identity; it represents a significant front in the broader global struggle against online disinformation. This case illuminates the profound challenges public figures face in maintaining their reputation and personal truth when confronted with pervasive, baseless conspiracy theories amplified across digital platforms. Their actions could establish crucial precedents for how such malicious narratives are legally addressed.
By engaging with the judicial systems in both France and the United States, the Macrons are testing the boundaries of defamation law in an era dominated by rapid information dissemination and the proliferation of ‘fake news.’ The complexities of balancing freedom of expression against the right to personal integrity are keenly highlighted, particularly when claims are knowingly false and intended to cause harm. This case could influence legal interpretations of accountability for influencers and content creators operating across international borders.
Ultimately, the Macrons’ unwavering determination to present definitive scientific and photographic evidence underscores a commitment to truth in the public sphere. Their fight serves as a potent reminder that while digital platforms enable the swift spread of falsehoods, individuals are increasingly willing to leverage legal avenues to assert factual reality against malicious ideological attacks. Their resolve to “set the record straight” in such a public manner offers a compelling example of the arduous but necessary pursuit of justice in the face of relentless online calumny.
In a world increasingly grappling with the corrosive effects of online disinformation, the Macrons’ journey through the courts stands as a powerful testament to the enduring importance of truth, identity, and personal honor. Their fight is a stark reminder that even the most baseless allegations, when amplified, demand a rigorous, multifaceted defense, forcing a spotlight on the global mechanisms needed to combat the deliberate propagation of falsehoods and protect the fundamental rights of individuals against the tide of digital deceit.
