- French first lady Brigitte Macron faced claims that she was a transgender woman
- Two conspiracy theorists are being charged over the claims
- The defamation case comes as France faces major elections
The trial of two women who made false claims that French first lady Brigitte Macron was transgender, sparking conspiracy theories among the far right, began Wednesday.
President Emmanuel Macron’s wife has sued self-styled spiritual medium Amandine Roy and conspiracy theorist Natacha Rey for posting a four-hour video on YouTube claiming she had once been a man called “Jean-Michel.” 2022 presidential election.
The defamation case began as Macron and his Renaissance Party rushed to prepare for snap elections called after a huge victory for the far right in the European Parliament elections earlier this month.
The outlet, 49, interviewed Rey, who failed to show up at the start of the trial due to illness, for hours on her YouTube channel, during which she ranted about the “state lie” and “scam” she claimed to have uncovered.
Rey was “desperate to share her work,” said Roy, who merely “agreed to her request.”
French first lady Brigitte Macron (pictured) sued two women over their claims that she was a transgender woman
Self-proclaimed spiritual medium Amandine Roy posted a four-hour video on YouTube that allowed a conspiracy theorist to make the false claims
Conspiracy theorist Natacha Rey (pictured) claimed that Brigitte Macron was born a man
Despite this claim that he agreed with Rey, Roy said the conspirator had “done three years of research, it’s not like she pulled it out of a hat.”
“I’m sorry this wasn’t picked up and investigated by the mainstream media,” said Roy, who said she couldn’t “hide” such a “serious” topic.
Neither the president, 46, nor the 71-year-old first lady were in the courtroom. She is demanding 10,000 euros in damages for her and her brother Jean-Michel, who she claims was involved in the conspiracy.
Following the video’s release, online theorists accused the first lady, formerly Brigitte Trogneux, of never existing in the first place, claiming that her brother Jean-Michel had changed gender and adopted a new identity.
The false claim also led to more serious allegations of child abuse against the French first lady.
Emmanuel Macron (photo) is also facing a hectic election battle after his decision to call early elections
Neither the president, 46, nor the 71-year-old first lady were in the courtroom
“The prejudice is enormous, it exploded everywhere,” said Brigitte Macron’s lawyer Jean Ennochi.
The disinformation even spread to the United States, where Brigitte Macron was attacked in a now-deleted YouTube video ahead of the November election.
Brigitte Macron is among a group of influential women – including former US first lady Michelle Obama and New Zealand ex-prime minister Jacinda Ardern – who have fallen victim to the growing trend of misinformation about their gender or sexuality to mock or shame them. humiliate.
A decision in this case will be made on September 12.
Meanwhile, the first lady’s husband faces a hectic election battle after his decision to call early elections blindsided many.
The two-round elections will take place on June 30 and July 7. Many are concerned that the far right will come to power in France, given their surprise victory in the European Parliament elections earlier this month.