France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron has once again found herself at the centre of a wave of online rumours questioning her gender – a conspiracy theory that began circulating shortly after Emmanuel Macron’s election in 2017 and has since evolved into a global misinformation campaign. The story, originally reported in depth by France 24, highlights how transphobic narratives, political hostility, and social media amplification have converged into what experts call “a perfect storm of fake news.”
The rumours first emerged from a 2021 YouTube interview featuring self-described journalist Natacha Rey and medium Amandine Roy, in which Rey alleged that Brigitte Macron had been born male under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux – her real brother’s name. Despite providing no credible evidence, the video went viral within days, amassing hundreds of thousands of views and spreading across French and international media.
French investigative outlet Mediapart had earlier rejected Rey’s claims, citing “no tangible elements.” However, the conspiracy took root among far-right and anti-government circles, including some linked to the “Yellow Vest” movement. Figures such as influencer Zoé Sagan and far-right editor Xavier Poussard helped push the rumour further, reframing it into a baseless narrative that Brigitte Macron’s brother had supposedly assumed her identity.
From 2023 onwards, the theory found new traction in the United States. Poussard and his allies sought to export the hoax to right-wing media spaces, eventually reaching conservative commentator Candace Owens. Owens became one of its most vocal promoters, even declaring she would “stake [her] entire professional reputation” on the false claim that France’s First Lady is male.
According to France 24 journalist Maya-Anaïs Yataghène, the rumour’s persistence reflects how “fake news with all the ingredients of an effective conspiracy theory” can thrive in today’s digital ecosystem — especially when it involves powerful figures and plays on societal prejudices. “It’s transphobic at its core,” she said, noting that such attacks often target women in politics to undermine credibility and legitimacy.
Scholars agree. Alessia Tranchese, a digital media expert at the University of Portsmouth, told France 24 that these narratives are “a partisan political phenomenon designed to weaken opponents and erode their legitimacy,” often drawing on sexism and ageism for resonance. Similar “transvestigation” conspiracies have also targeted figures such as Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Psychologist Sander van der Linden of Cambridge University explained that these online “transvestigators” operate under the belief that public figures secretly belong to a hidden transgender elite. “It’s part of a larger movement,” he said, “reflecting distrust in institutions and a struggle over who gets to define truth.”
For Brigitte Macron, the impact has been deeply personal. In court testimony last year, she described the toll of years of speculation: “Every time I go on an international visit, someone brings it up. There isn’t a single spouse of a Head of State who isn’t aware of it.”
The Macrons, along with Brigitte’s brother Jean-Michel Trogneux, have filed defamation lawsuits in France and the United States against key promoters of the rumour, including Rey, Roy, Sagan, Poussard, and Owens. Their lawyer, Tom Clare, has indicated that the couple is prepared to provide “scientific evidence” to prove Brigitte Macron was born female.
However, experts warn that legal action may not silence the misinformation. As van der Linden told France 24, “Among believers, any attempt to refute the conspiracy theory is usually taken as proof that there must be something to it.” Even a court victory, he said, may not sway those already convinced.
Ultimately, the saga underscores the broader challenge of combating disinformation in an era where personal attacks, political polarization, and online echo chambers can turn a falsehood into global “truth” overnight — no matter how implausible it may be.
