Macron vs. Candace Owens: The Legal Showdown Over a Bizarre Conspiracy Theory
In a world where misinformation spreads like wildfire, even heads of state are taking a stand. French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron have launched a bold legal offensive in New York, suing conservative commentator Candace Owens over a wild, long-debunked conspiracy theory. The claim? That Brigitte Macron — now 72 — was born male under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux.
Shattering the Falsehoods
The Macrons aren’t holding back. Their lawsuit brands Owens’ allegations as not only false but deeply damaging and intensely personal. At the heart of the storm is the absurd suggestion that Brigitte is actually her own brother, Jean-Michel—a man very much alive and publicly seen, including attending both of Emmanuel Macron’s presidential inaugurations in 2017 and 2022.
Yet Owens remains defiant, doubling down on her claims with a provocative statement:
"If you need any more evidence that Brigitte Macron is definitely a man, it is just what is happening right now. The idea that you would file this lawsuit is all of the proof that you need."
From France to America: The Birth of a Viral Conspiracy
This strange saga didn’t start in the U.S.—it began in France during the turmoil of late 2021, amid the Yellow Vest protests and pandemic anxieties. A nearly four-hour YouTube video featuring spiritualist Amandine Roy and “independent journalist” Natasha Rey, who also sells essential oils, went viral. Rey, after scrutinizing countless photos, declared Brigitte Macron to be none other than her brother Jean-Michel in disguise.
The video exploded across social media, racking up over half a million views and sparking the hashtag JeanMichelTrogneux, fueling a wildfire of misinformation that would eventually draw legal fire from the Macrons.
The French Courts Take Action
Back home, Brigitte and Jean-Michel didn’t sit quietly. In early 2022, they filed a defamation lawsuit against the video’s creators. Initially victorious, receiving €13,000 in damages, the Macrons faced a setback when an appeals court overturned the ruling, citing French legal technicalities despite calling the claims “outrageous and unfounded.”
Refusing to back down, the Macrons have now escalated their fight to France’s highest court. Brigitte also launched a separate cyber harassment case involving ten individuals, with a trial set for this October.
Investigative Journalism Unmasks the Truth
The Daily Mail’s British reporters Paul Bracchi and Peter Allen dug into the story and debunked the conspiracy in detail. A key “piece of evidence” — a childhood photo alleged to be of young Brigitte as a boy — was actually her older brother Jean-Claude, eight years her senior and a figure well-known in the family’s chocolate business.
Birth records in France are confidential, but the local paper Courrier Picard published Brigitte’s birth announcement back in April 1953, listing her among siblings Anne-Marie, Jean-Claude, Maryvonne Monique, and Jean-Michel.
Photographic Proof vs. Rumors
Contrary to the bizarre claims, authentic childhood photos of Brigitte Macron exist and have been unearthed by journalists. One shows her as a seven-year-old at her first communion; another captures her playing in her family garden — irrefutable evidence that she grew up as the girl she claims to be.
More Than a Lawsuit: A Stand Against Misinformation
This legal battle is about much more than just Candace Owens or a ridiculous conspiracy theory. It highlights a growing movement of public figures fighting back against the toxic spread of online lies and defamation.
As the Macrons take their case across continents and courts, one thing is crystal clear: this isn’t just about rumors. It’s about defending truth, dignity, and reputation in an age where misinformation can spiral out of control in an instant.