France: Macron’s Wife Allegedly Born a Man, Conspiracy Theory Reignited

Conservative commentator Candace Owens has sparked outrage after doubling down on a baseless conspiracy theory that claims Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, was born a man. Owens took to social media Tuesday to reassert the controversial claim she had outlined hours earlier on her podcast, accusing the French First Lady of having transitioned from a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux. This bizarre assertion, which is rooted in a widely debunked far-right conspiracy, has raised eyebrows around the world and ignited fresh debate over the limits of online speculation.

Owens, 34, presented the theory as a revelation during an episode of The Candace Owens Podcast, where she claimed that Brigitte Macron transitioned at the age of 30. She also suggested that the First Lady did not give birth to her three children and alleged that her first husband, a retired banker who died in 2020, never existed. Owens amplified the theory on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that she would “stake her entire professional reputation” on the idea that Brigitte was born a man.

The claims stem from the far-right magazine Faits et Documents, which in 2017 published a false report asserting that Brigitte Macron had undergone gender transition. The theory was reignited last month after Emmanuel Macron’s stepdaughter, Tiphaine Auzière, spoke out against rumors suggesting her mother was once male. In a poignant interview with Paris Match, Auzière described how she was deeply affected by the conspiracy, noting, “I have concerns about the level of society when I hear what is circulating on social networks about my mother being a man.”

Owens, however, remains steadfast in her defense of the theory. In her online post, she dismissed the work of fact-checkers and experts who have refuted the claims. She went as far as to demand that Brigitte Macron release more photographs from her youth, arguing that the absence of such images fuels suspicions. Owens pointed to a family photo of Brigitte as a child, claiming the resemblance between her and her older brother Jean-Michel Trogneux was so striking that it could not be coincidental.

Despite the overwhelming evidence against her claims, Owens has challenged other journalists to investigate further and has publicly ridiculed those who dismiss the theory as absurd. She also posted a so-called “before-and-after” photo comparison that allegedly linked Brigitte’s early family photos with those of her brother, suggesting that they might in fact be the same person.

The renewed controversy comes as President Macron and his wife continue to face public scrutiny over their 24-year age difference. While some media outlets have treated the claims with the skepticism they deserve, Owens’ comments have attracted a large audience on social media, where misinformation can quickly gain traction.

In response to the allegations, Macron addressed the rumors at an International Women’s Day event, dismissing them as part of a broader trend of misogynistic attacks targeting women. He also emphasized the harm caused by fake news, stating that such falsehoods could erode public trust and invade personal privacy.

In an effort to substantiate her reporting, Owens has even gone so far as to issue an open letter to the Macrons, offering them a chance to defend themselves in an interview. The letter includes a series of provocative questions aimed at forcing the Macrons to address the ongoing conspiracy. Among the queries are demands for photos from Brigitte’s early life and questions about her previous relationships, including one with a woman named Veronique Dreux.

As of now, the Macron family has not publicly engaged with Owens’ letter, and the controversy is unlikely to subside anytime soon. While most observers dismiss Owens’ theory as outlandish, her claims continue to stir emotions, leaving many to wonder where the line between political discourse and the spread of dangerous misinformation should be drawn.