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Fact check: How has Brigitte Macron responded to the transgender allegations?

Checked on July 17, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Brigitte Macron has responded to transgender allegations through aggressive legal action, demonstrating a clear pattern of pursuing justice through France's court system. Initially, she filed a complaint against two women who falsely claimed she was transgender, resulting in their conviction and orders to pay damages [1]. However, when the Paris Court of Appeal later acquitted these same two women, Brigitte Macron escalated her response by lodging an appeal with the Court of Cassation, France's highest appeals court [2] [3].

Her lawyer has confirmed this legal move, indicating that Brigitte Macron is stepping up her legal battle rather than allowing the acquittal to stand [3] [4]. This represents a sustained and determined response to what the sources characterize as false claims and transphobic rumors spread online.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important contextual elements not immediately apparent in the original question:

  • The legal case has experienced significant ups and downs - the two women were initially found guilty and ordered to pay damages, but this was later overturned by the Paris Court of Appeal [1] [5]
  • The nature of the allegations - the sources consistently describe these as "false claims," "transphobic rumours," and "libel," indicating the legal system has treated them as defamatory rather than legitimate questions [2]
  • The medium of spread - these allegations were specifically spread online, suggesting a digital harassment campaign rather than traditional media coverage [2]
  • The persistence of Macron's response - rather than letting the matter drop after the acquittal, she has chosen to pursue the case to France's highest court, demonstrating the seriousness with which she treats these allegations [4] [5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral in its framing, asking simply "How has Brigitte Macron responded to the transgender allegations?" However, there are subtle implications that merit examination:

  • The phrasing "transgender allegations" could be seen as legitimizing what the legal sources consistently characterize as false and defamatory claims [2] [1]
  • The question lacks context about the legal determinations that these were false claims, potentially treating unsubstantiated rumors as if they were legitimate matters of public debate
  • Missing the defamatory nature - the question doesn't acknowledge that these allegations have been legally characterized as libel and transphobic harassment rather than genuine inquiries [2] [5]

The framing could inadvertently perpetuate the spread of what French courts have determined to be false and harmful claims by treating them as "allegations" worthy of response rather than as debunked defamatory statements.

Want to dive deeper?
What are the transgender allegations against Brigitte Macron?
How has the French public reacted to the Brigitte Macron transgender rumors?
Has Emmanuel Macron commented on the transgender allegations against his wife?
What is the impact of the Brigitte Macron transgender controversy on French politics?
How have other world leaders' spouses handled similar personal controversies?