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Macrons to present scientific evidence in US defamation case
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, plan to present scientific evidence in a US court to counter false claims that Brigitte Macron was born male. Their lawyer confirmed that expert testimony would be used in the defamation lawsuit filed in July against American commentator Candace Owens.
The Macrons accuse Owens of spreading defamatory allegations to boost her media profile, attract audiences, and generate revenue. Owens has repeatedly claimed that Brigitte Macron is a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux, even producing a multi-episode podcast on the subject.
Attorney Tom Clare, representing the couple, described the statements as “incredibly upsetting” for Brigitte Macron and a “distraction” for the president. He said the couple is determined to demonstrate publicly that the accusations are false. Family photographs and evidence of Brigitte’s three children are expected to be submitted.
The lawsuit points out that Jean-Michel Trogneux is Brigitte’s real brother, who has attended Emmanuel Macron’s presidential inaugurations. Brigitte Macron, 72, is 24 years older than her husband and has three children and seven grandchildren from her first marriage.
False rumors about her identity first circulated in France in 2021. While she and her brother previously won a case against bloggers spreading similar claims, an appeals court later dismissed the ruling. The couple has since taken that matter to France’s highest court.
Owens’ legal team has filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the lawsuit should not be handled in Delaware, where her companies are based. Owens has publicly maintained that she stands by her statements.