France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron, is taking her defamation case to the country’s highest appeals court after a lower court overturned the convictions of two women who falsely claimed she was born a man, her lawyer confirmed on Monday.
The case stems from a viral conspiracy theory that has circulated for years online, alleging that Brigitte Macron, 72, was once a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux—the name of her actual brother. In December 2021, the false claim was amplified in a YouTube video where self-proclaimed spiritual medium Amandine Roy interviewed Natacha Rey, an independent journalist, for over four hours.
Rey alleged a government cover-up and claimed Brigitte had changed gender before marrying Emmanuel Macron, now France’s president. The video quickly gained traction among conspiracy communities in France and abroad.
In September 2023, a French court ruled in Brigitte Macron’s favor, ordering Roy and Rey to pay €8,000 in damages to her and €5,000 to her brother. However, a Paris appeals court overturned that decision last Thursday, prompting both Brigitte and her brother to escalate the matter to the Cour de Cassation, France’s highest court of appeal.
Brigitte Macron’s lawyer, Jean Ennochi, confirmed their intention to pursue the case further, emphasizing the seriousness of the disinformation campaign and its personal toll.
What you should know
Brigitte Macron’s legal action marks a significant move against digital disinformation and online conspiracy theories.
The case highlights the challenges public figures face in the age of viral misinformation and the growing legal efforts to confront it in court.
