France prosecutes two women who falsely claimed first lady Brigitte Macron was transgender

 

The trial of two women accused of falsely claiming that First Lady Brigitte Macron is transgender began Wednesday in France, sparking rumors that spread online and were exploited by the far right and conspiracy theorists.

Brigitte Macron filed a defamation lawsuit in 2022 against two women who published an interview on YouTube in December 2021, claiming that the French first lady was once a man named "Jean-Michel."

The claim went viral weeks before the 2022 French presidential election.

The trial comes amid hectic campaigning ahead of snap parliamentary elections called by President Emmanuel Macron after far-right gains in the European Parliament elections.

Amandine Roy, who describes herself as a psychic, appeared in court in Paris on Wednesday to answer questions about an interview she conducted with independent journalist Natasha Rey, who was absent due to illness.

Roy, 49, had conducted a four-hour interview with Ray on her YouTube channel in which the journalist spoke about the "state lie" and "hoax" she claimed to have uncovered.

Roy said the journalist was desperate to share her findings and noted that she "reluctantly complied with her request.

As for the credibility of the claims, Rua insisted that Ri "spent three years researching, and it's not like she pulled it out of a hat."

"I am sorry that this matter was not raised and investigated by the mainstream media," Rua said, adding that she could not "hide" such a "serious" issue.

Neither the 46-year-old president nor the 71-year-old first lady attended the court hearing.

Allegations spread on social media that former first lady Brigitte Trugno never existed and that her brother Jean-Michel changed his gender and assumed that identity.

The false accusation also evolved into more serious accusations of child abuse against Brigitte Macron.

"The prejudice is enormous, it has exploded everywhere," said Brigitte Macron's lawyer, Jean Ennoche.

Inucci demanded compensation of 10,000 euros for both Brigitte Macron and her brother.

Brigitte Macron joins a group of influential women, including former US First Lady Michelle Obama and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who have been the victims of misinformation about their gender or sexual orientation with the aim of ridiculing and humiliating them.

A decision in the case is expected on September 12.