Fact Check: is brigitte macron man

Fact Check: "Is Brigitte Macron a Man?"

What We Know

Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, has been the subject of a persistent conspiracy theory claiming she was born male and transitioned to become a woman. This rumor alleges that she was originally named Jean-Michel Trogneux. The claims gained traction after being published on a far-right website and circulated widely on social media, particularly during the lead-up to the 2022 French presidential election (BBC, Euronews).

Brigitte Macron has publicly denied these allegations and is pursuing legal action against those propagating the false claims. Her lawyer confirmed that legal proceedings are underway to combat the misinformation (BBC). The conspiracy theory has been linked to various far-right groups and individuals, including American commentator Candace Owens, who has reiterated these claims in her media appearances without providing credible evidence (Euronews, Check for Facts).

Analysis

The claim that Brigitte Macron is a transgender woman lacks credible evidence and is widely regarded as a conspiracy theory. The origin of the rumor can be traced back to a far-right journalist, Natacha Rey, who first published the allegations in 2021. This narrative was further amplified by social media influencers and conspiracy theorists, particularly those aligned with anti-vaccine movements and the QAnon conspiracy (BBC, Le Monde).

Critically, the sources promoting this theory have been identified as unreliable and biased. For instance, Candace Owens, who has a history of controversial statements, has propagated the claim without substantiation (Euronews, Check for Facts). Furthermore, a French court has previously ruled against Rey and another individual for spreading these falsehoods, ordering them to pay damages to Brigitte Macron, which underscores the legal recognition of the claims as defamatory (Euronews, Le Monde).

The lack of credible evidence supporting the claim, combined with the legal actions taken by Brigitte Macron, indicates that the narrative is not only false but also rooted in a broader context of political attacks against her husband, President Emmanuel Macron. This context suggests that the rumors are more about discrediting political figures than about any factual basis regarding Brigitte Macron's identity.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that Brigitte Macron is a man is unfounded and has been thoroughly debunked. The allegations originate from unreliable sources and have been legally challenged by Macron herself. The persistence of this conspiracy theory appears to be more a reflection of political animosity than any factual reality.