Brigitte Macron Slams the “Stupidity and Wickedness” She Has Faced While Serving as First Lady in France’s Élysée Palace Amid Explosive Online Rumours in Paris

Brigitte Macron has opened up about what life has felt like since stepping into one of the most visible roles in French public life, saying her years as France’s First Lady have exposed her to what she describes as the “stupidity” and “wickedness” of the world.

Speaking in an interview with La Tribune Dimanche, the 73-year-old former drama teacher admitted that the intensity of the past decade has changed her outlook significantly, making her more emotionally drained and, at times, more pessimistic than before.

A Life Turned Upside Down by Politics and Public Scrutiny

Before entering the Élysée spotlight, Brigitte Macron described her life as relatively ordinary—focused on teaching, raising children, and navigating everyday highs and lows.

But that changed dramatically after Emmanuel Macron’s rise to the French presidency in 2017, placing her at the centre of global attention.

She reflected on the shift, explaining that the past ten years have felt “so intense” and emotionally consuming, adding that she has been confronted with what she sees as the darker sides of public life.

According to her, moments of optimism now come less easily than they once did.

Rumours, Conspiracy Theories, and Online Attacks

Alongside her official duties, Brigitte Macron has also faced persistent and often bizarre online rumours questioning her identity, including false claims circulating in fringe media that she was born male.

Those allegations originated from a viral 2021 YouTube video featuring self-proclaimed clairvoyant Amandine Roy and blogger Natacha Rey, which falsely claimed Brigitte Macron was born as “Jean-Michel Trogneux”—a name that actually belongs to her brother.

The conspiracy theory gained further traction when right-wing US commentator Candace Owens amplified the claims in her podcast series Becoming Brigitte, repeatedly insisting on the allegations and even stating she would “stake her professional reputation” on them.

The Macron family strongly rejected the claims and later pursued legal action in the United States in 2025, accusing Owens of spreading defamatory and baseless falsehoods.

Legal Battles and Pushback Against Defamation

The French First Lady and President Emmanuel Macron have both pushed back forcefully against the spread of misinformation about their private lives.

Their lawsuit against Owens marked a rare and high-profile attempt by a sitting European political family to challenge online conspiracy culture in US courts, arguing that the claims were not only false but deeply damaging.

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The case underscored how quickly unverified narratives can spread across social media platforms and escalate into international controversy.

A Separate Moment of Public Attention: The Vietnam Incident

Public scrutiny of the Macrons intensified further in May 2025 after footage emerged showing Brigitte Macron appearing to push her husband’s face away as their plane arrived in Vietnam.

The brief moment, captured by Associated Press cameras, sparked widespread debate online after showing Brigitte placing both hands on the President’s face in what looked like a sudden shove as the aircraft door opened.

President Macron appeared momentarily surprised but quickly regained composure and continued with official duties.

Initially, the Élysée Palace questioned the footage before confirming its authenticity.

Officials later downplayed the incident, describing it as a light-hearted “squabble” and a private moment of relaxation before formal engagements.

The Relationship That Has Long Drawn Attention

The couple’s relationship has been a subject of public discussion for years, partly due to its unconventional beginnings.

Emmanuel Macron first met Brigitte—then his drama teacher—when he was a teenager in Amiens in the early 1990s.

She was married at the time and had three children.

Their relationship, which developed over time, has always attracted scrutiny, particularly given their age difference and the circumstances of their early connection.

The pair eventually married in 2007, long before Macron entered politics at the national level.

Impact and Consequences

The combination of political exposure, online conspiracy theories, and viral misinformation has made Brigitte Macron one of the most heavily scrutinised First Ladies in modern European politics.

The emotional toll she describes highlights the growing pressure public figures face in the digital age, where personal lives can become global talking points within hours.

It has also intensified debate in France and beyond about the boundaries of free speech, online defamation, and the responsibility of influencers and platforms in spreading unverified claims.

What’s Next?

With legal proceedings tied to the defamation case still unfolding and political life continuing under President Macron’s leadership, the spotlight on the First Lady is unlikely to fade soon.

Observers expect further legal, political, and media debates around misinformation and public accountability, especially as digital platforms continue to shape global narratives.

Summary

Brigitte Macron has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of life as France’s First Lady, describing it as a period marked by intense scrutiny, personal attacks, and exposure to what she calls the darker sides of public life.

Alongside her reflections, she continues to face the effects of long-running conspiracy theories and high-profile media controversies.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Brigitte Macron says her time as First Lady has made her more pessimistic and emotionally affected
• She describes exposure to “stupidity” and “wickedness” in public life
• False online claims wrongly alleged she was born male; these have been widely debunked
• Right-wing commentator Candace Owens amplified the conspiracy theory in her podcast
• The Macron family launched a defamation lawsuit in the US in 2025
• Viral footage from 2025 showed a brief tense moment between the Macrons on a plane in Vietnam
• Officials later described the incident as a harmless private “squabble”
• Their relationship has long attracted public attention due to its unusual beginnings
• The controversy highlights growing concerns about misinformation and online defamation