It’s not every day that the wife of a president becomes the centre of a digital storm. When Brigitte Macron discovered her tax records had been hacked and her name changed to a male version, it reignited years-old conspiracy theories—and sent shockwaves far beyond the Élysée Palace. So, can the First Lady finally put an end to these rumours, or is this just the latest chapter in a much bigger story ?
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Years of Online Speculation and False Allegations
Rumours about Brigitte Macron’s identity have been swirling online for years, often crossing the line from gossip to outright conspiracy. Claims that she was born as a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux have been repeated so often on social media that they’ve taken on a life of their own. It all ramped up in 2021, when a YouTube video gave these baseless stories new momentum. Suddenly, what started as an online whisper campaign became a noisy debate, with influencers and public figures joining the chorus.
American commentator Candace Owens is one of the most vocal supporters of the rumour, helping to spread it internationally. Her public endorsement, citing an “in-depth investigation” by French blogger Natacha Rey, has only fuelled the fire. The result ? Brigitte Macron’s private life has become a public battleground, with speculation often drowning out the truth.
Tax Record Hack Triggers Court Cases and Public Outrage
The recent hack into Brigitte Macron’s personal tax account marked a disturbing escalation. Hackers changed her official name to “Jean-Michel, known as Brigitte Macron”, a move that left the First Lady stunned and deeply upset. She didn’t hesitate to take legal action, filing an official complaint with the authorities. Investigators quickly identified two suspects behind the cyberattack, but that was just the beginning.
Now, ten people—eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60—are facing charges in Paris for sexist cyberharassment. Prosecutors allege that these individuals used online platforms to post hateful comments about Brigitte Macron’s gender and sexuality. The potential penalties are serious: up to two years in prison if convicted. The French justice system is sending a clear message that online harassment, especially when aimed at public figures through false and damaging claims, will not be tolerated.
International Legal Action and the Role of Influencers
The controversy hasn’t stopped at France’s borders. Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron have also filed a lawsuit in the United States, targeting Candace Owens for her role in spreading the rumour. In Delaware, they’ve lodged a hefty 218-page complaint seeking damages, determined to hold those responsible for the global spread of defamatory claims accountable.
What’s striking is how the story has travelled—amplified by influencers and media personalities, debated in courtrooms, and dissected across continents. Tristan Bromet, Brigitte Macron’s chief of staff, has spoken out against the attacks, while the First Lady herself remains at the centre of a firestorm she never asked for. The legal wrangling highlights just how easily misinformation can cross borders and how hard it is to rein in once it’s out in the world.
Personal Toll and the Bigger Picture for Public Figures
For Brigitte Macron, the ordeal has gone far beyond online gossip—it’s affected her personal sense of security and dignity. Seeing her identity manipulated in government records isn’t just a technical issue; it’s a deeply personal attack. The Macrons hope that their court victories, in France and abroad, will finally put a stop to the relentless campaign of defamation and online harassment.
But the story raises wider questions about the limits of free speech, the responsibilities of influencers, and how society should handle targeted harassment online. Can the courts really draw the line between protected speech and deliberate defamation ? As the world watches, one thing is clear: Brigitte Macron’s experience is a stark reminder of just how vulnerable public figures can be in the digital age. The next chapter may be written in courtrooms, but the debate is happening everywhere.
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Sources used:
Brigitte Macron is turned into a man on her tax records after hackers changed her legal name
