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Tag: Candice Owen

  • ‪French President Macron Sues Candace Owen Over Claims France’s First Lady Was Born Male‬

    ‪French President Macron Sues Candace Owen Over Claims France’s First Lady Was Born Male‬

    Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, filed a defamation lawsuit on Wednesday against a right-wing US podcaster who claimed the spouse of the French president used to be a man.

    The 218-page complaint against Candace Owens, who has millions of followers on X and YouTube, was filed by the Macrons in Delaware Superior Court and seeks a jury trial and unspecified punitive damages.

    In a statement released by their lawyer, the Macrons said they filed the lawsuit after Owens repeatedly ignored requests to retract false and defamatory statements made on an eight-part YouTube and podcast series called “Becoming Brigitte.”

    “Owens’ campaign of defamation was plainly designed to harass and cause pain to us and our families and to garner attention and notoriety,” they said.

    “We gave her every opportunity to back away from these claims, but she refused.

    “It is our earnest hope that this lawsuit will set the record straight and end this campaign of defamation once and for all.”

    Right-Wing influencer Candace Owens.
    Right-Wing influencer Candace Owens.

    The suit accuses Owens of using her popular podcast to spread “verifiably false and devastating lies” about the Macrons including that Brigitte Macron was born a man, that they are blood relatives and that Macron was chosen to be France’s president as part of a CIA-operated mind control program.

    “If ever there was a clear-cut case of defamation, this is it,” Tom Clare, a lawyer for the Macrons, said in a statement.

    “Owens both promoted and expanded on those falsehoods and invented new ones, all designed to cause maximum harm to the Macrons and maximize attention and financial gain for herself.”

    Brigitte Macron, 72, has also taken to the courts in France to combat claims she was born a man.

    Two women were convicted in September of last year of spreading false claims after they posted a YouTube video in December 2021 alleging that Brigitte Macron had once been a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux — who is actually her brother.

    The ruling was overturned by a Paris appeals court and Macron appealed to the highest appeals court, the Court de Cassation, earlier this month.

    (AFP)

  • Was Brigitte Macron Was Born A Man? Debunking Candace Owens Conspiracy Theory About Emanuel Macron’s Wife

    Was Brigitte Macron Was Born A Man? Debunking Candace Owens Conspiracy Theory About Emanuel Macron’s Wife

    In recent years, a bizarre conspiracy theory has made rounds on social media and conservative commentary platforms, claiming that Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, was born a man. This theory, notably propagated by American political commentator Candace Owens, has stirred significant controversy, misinformation, and public debate. Here, we delve into the origins of these claims, their propagation, the responses from the Macrons, and the factual inaccuracies at the heart of this narrative.

    Candice has an upcoming podcast ‘Becoming Brigitte’ an investigative series she claims will expose the evidence of her claims.

    Origins of the Conspiracy

    The theory began circulating in 2021 when a French far-right magazine, “Faits et Documents,” published an article suggesting Brigitte Macron was born as Jean-Michel Trogneux, her brother’s name, before transitioning in the 1980s. This narrative lacks any credible evidence and is built on a foundation of misinterpretation, speculation, and personal anecdotes devoid of factual backing.

    Candace Owens’ Role

    Candace Owens, known for her provocative conservative commentary, amplified this theory on her platforms. In March 2024, she stated she would “stake her entire professional reputation” on the claim that Brigitte Macron is a man. Her assertions were based on a misreading of old family photographs, where she claimed Brigitte looked like her brother when they were children. Owens also suggested that Brigitte’s refusal to produce photos from before age 30 was suspicious, a claim without merit since no such obligation exists.

    Legal and Public Backlash

    The claims led to legal action by Brigitte Macron against those spreading the rumors. In 2024, two French women were fined for defamation after they made similar assertions on YouTube. President Emmanuel Macron has publicly condemned these rumors, labeling them “false information and fabricated scenarios” that undermine public trust and spread hatred. Brigitte Macron herself has described the conspiracy as an attack on her dignity, highlighting the darker side of social media.

    Fact-Checking and Debunking

    – Photographic Evidence: The photographs used to support these claims are often out of context or misinterpreted. Experts in photo analysis have dismissed the theory, pointing out that similarities between siblings in childhood photos are not uncommon.

    – Life History: Brigitte Macron’s life timeline, including her marriage to her first husband, André-Louis Auzière, with whom she had three children, is well-documented. The existence of her children and her previous marriage directly contradicts the conspiracy.

    – Official Records: There’s no official or credible source contradicting Brigitte’s gender identity. All public records, including birth and marriage certificates, confirm her identity as female from birth.

    – Legal Identity: Brigitte Macron’s identity has been legally recognized and undisputed in official capacities, from her teaching career to her role as First Lady.

    Public Reaction and Misinformation

    The spread of this conspiracy theory reflects broader issues of misinformation and the impact of social media on public perception. While some fringe groups and conspiracy theorists have latched onto the narrative, the mainstream response has been one of skepticism and condemnation. Critics argue that such claims not only invade privacy but also promote transphobia by using transgender identity as a punchline or a point of scandal.

    The claims by Candace Owens and others that Brigitte Macron was born a man are not supported by any credible evidence. They serve as a poignant example of how misinformation can proliferate in the digital age, causing harm to individuals and muddying public discourse. This case underscores the need for critical thinking, media literacy, and respect for privacy in an era where anyone can be a target of baseless speculation.