Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, is set to launch legal proceedings over false claims spread by conspiracy theorists that she was born a male.
Conspiracy theorists have attacked the French first lady on social media after a far-right publication published baseless claims in September that she is transgender. The conspiracy theory claims that she was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux.
In December, the hashtag #JeanMichelTrogneux became one of the most used on Twitter in France.
Trogneux is Brigitte Macron’s maiden name.
The bizarre, transphobic lies have been spread across social media by accounts that oppose President Macron, and include those from the far-right, anti-vaccination groups and those from the QAnon conspiracy.
Some in the French media have traced the origins of the lies to an article written on a far-right website that is known to spread conspiracy theories and false information. The rumour began to gain further traction when it was discussed in a YouTube video shared widely by conspiracy theorists.
Lawyer Jean Ennochi told AFP news agency that Brigitte Macron would be taking legal action against those responsible for spreading the false claims.
“She has decided to initiate proceedings, it is in progress,” Ennochi said.
The claims against Brigitte Macron are not based in any fact. This is also not the first time she has faced attacks on social media. Since her husband came into power, she has dealt with misogynistic attacks often to do with the 24-year age gap between her and Emmanuel.
Brigitte Macron’s legal proceedings come as her husband is due to face an election in 2022. Emmanuel Macron has not yet confirmed he will run for reelection, but he is widely expected to.
Brigitte Macron married Emmanuel Macron in 2007.