By Gloria Nosa
France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron, has taken legal action after her personal information was illegally altered on the country’s official tax database — listing her as male and falsely identifying her as “Jean-Michel, called Brigitte Macron.”
The shocking revelation came to light during a routine audit of her tax records in September 2024, according to reports by Telegraphi Albania and RBC-Ukraine.
Unexpected Discovery Sparks Outrage
Tristan Bohn, the First Lady’s chief of staff, recounted the moment of discovery in a new BFMTV documentary titled The Red Line.
“We were all shocked when we saw the name. We double-checked with Brigitte Macron herself, and it was indeed written that way in her official identification details,” Bohn said.
Authorities initially suspected a system error but later determined that the false entry resulted from unauthorized interference — believed to be either a cyberattack or deliberate data manipulation.
Following the incident, Brigitte Macron filed a formal complaint, prompting an immediate investigation by the Élysée Palace and French law enforcement agencies. Two suspects have reportedly been identified in connection with the digital tampering.
Decade-Long Rumors Resurface
The scandal has reignited a wave of false rumors that have circulated online since 2021 — claims alleging that Brigitte Macron was born male and is actually her brother, Jean-Michel Trogneux.
The baseless theory was originally spread by French bloggers Amandine Luat and Natasha Rey, and later amplified internationally by American far-right commentator Candace Owens.
In response, President Emmanuel Macron and the First Lady have vigorously denied the rumors, describing them as “deeply hurtful and defamatory.” The couple filed a defamation lawsuit against Owens in July 2025, with plans to present medical and documentary evidence proving that Brigitte Macron was born female.
Ongoing Legal Battle
The Macrons previously won a defamation case against Luat and Rey in 2024; however, the ruling was overturned on appeal in July 2025, after the court cited the principle of freedom of expression in its decision.
Brigitte Macron’s legal team has announced plans to appeal to France’s Supreme Court, asserting that the spread of such falsehoods constitutes harassment and an attack on personal dignity.
Cybersecurity and Privacy Concerns
The latest episode raises serious questions about the security of France’s government databases and the vulnerability of high-profile individuals to digital sabotage.
Officials have not ruled out the possibility that the hackers behind the tax portal incident may have been motivated by political or ideological agendas.
As investigations continue, the Élysée Palace has reaffirmed its confidence in the judicial system and expressed solidarity with the First Lady, emphasizing that Brigitte Macron remains “resilient and committed to her public duties despite ongoing personal attacks.”
