French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte plan to present scientific evidence in a U.S. court to prove that she was not born male, according to their lawyer in a defamation case. The couple sued right-wing commentator Candace Owens and her company in July, accusing them of spreading false claims to boost her media profile, attract viewers, and make money.
Last year, Owens publicly declared she would bet her professional reputation on the false assertion that Brigitte Macron is actually a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux. She has since repeated the claim, including in an eight-part podcast series.
The Macrons’ attorney, Tom Clare, whose firm has a strong record in defamation cases, told the BBC that Brigitte found the allegations deeply upsetting and that they have been a distraction for the president. Clare stated that expert scientific testimony will be introduced to thoroughly disprove the claims, both in general and specific terms. He added that Brigitte is prepared to undergo this public process to clear her name, and that photos of her pregnancy and raising her children will be presented as evidence.
The lawsuit clarifies that Jean-Michel Trogneux is Brigitte’s older brother, who grew up with her and their four siblings in northern France. He attended both of Emmanuel Macron’s presidential inaugurations.
Brigitte Macron, 72, is 24 years older than her husband. They met when she was his drama teacher in high school. She has three children from a previous marriage and seven grandchildren.
False claims about Brigitte’s gender first spread in France in 2021. She and her brother previously won a defamation case against two bloggers, though an appeals court later overturned the ruling, stating it did not meet the legal definition of defamation. They have since appealed to France’s highest court.
The lawsuit against Owens argues that she ignored credible evidence and instead promoted known conspiracy theorists. Owens’ legal team has moved to dismiss the case, claiming it was wrongly filed in Delaware, where her businesses are registered. Owens continues to stand by her allegations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about this topic framed in a natural tone with clear direct answers
General Beginner Questions
1 What is this story about
This is about a legal case where the family of French President Emmanuel Macron is presenting evidence to a US court to disprove a longrunning false rumor that his wife Brigitte Macron was born male
2 Why is this happening in a US court and not in France
The lawsuit is against individuals and websites in the United States that have published and spread the false claim which gives a US court jurisdiction over the case
3 Who started this rumor
The rumor appears to have originated from fringe online sources and has been amplified over the years by certain political opponents and conspiracy theorists primarily on social media
4 What kind of scientific evidence are they presenting
While the specific evidence hasnt been publicly detailed in the court filings it is widely understood to refer to official birth records and potentially medical documentation that would definitively confirm her sex assigned at birth
Advanced Detailed Questions
5 Is this a defamation lawsuit
Yes this is a defamation lawsuit The Macron family is arguing that the false claims have damaged Brigitte Macrons reputation and caused significant emotional distress and they are seeking legal accountability
6 What do they hope to achieve with this lawsuit
Their primary goals are likely to 1 Obtain a legal ruling that officially declares the rumors false 2 Seek financial damages from the defendants and 3 Create a strong legal deterrent to stop the further spread of this specific misinformation
7 Can a US courts ruling affect people in France or other countries
A US judgment primarily applies to the defendants named in the suit within the US However a successful ruling can be a powerful tool to pressure international social media platforms to remove the content and can serve as a persuasive precedent in other jurisdictions
8 Why is this considered a significant legal action
It is significant because a sitting head of states family is taking unprecedented formal legal steps to combat a specific piece of viral misinformation using a foreign legal system to target its sources directly
Common Problems Practical Implications
9 Isnt this just giving more attention to a baseless rumor
The Macron familys strategy is a calculated risk While it does bring renewed attention their aim
