On June 7, France 5 aired the documentary film “La Fabrique du mensonge : Brigitte Macron, l’ombre de la rumeur.” The film is dedicated to the conspiracy theory that has been circulating on social media for several years: the claim that Brigitte Macron was born a man and assumed the identity of her brother Jean-Michel Trogno. However, the documentary has much more to do than simply refute a long-debunked claim.
The focus is on the question of how an initially marginal conspiracy theory developed into an international political phenomenon. The authors show how this story first appeared among coronavirus skeptics and conspiracy theory supporters. From there, it entered right-wing populist networks in France, and later the United States. What initially seemed like a strange internet rumor step by step turned into a topic with significant media attention.
The role of social media is especially striking. Images were torn out of context, creating imagined similarities, and speculations were presented as facts. The mechanisms behind this are almost banal: content that evokes strong emotions spreads faster. Algorithms reward attention — regardless of whether the basic claims are true or not.
The documentary clearly shows that Brigitte Macron was not a random target of attacks.
Several experts explain that the First Lady of France is a particularly vulnerable target for political opponents. Those who sow doubts about her person indirectly attack her husband — President Emmanuel Macron. Behind many attacks is not so much a personal interest in Brigitte Macron as an attempt to undermine trust in the political leadership.
It is also interesting that the filmmakers give a voice to people who were involved in spreading rumors. This results in an ambiguous image. Some firmly believe in their statements. Others seem to be participants in a digital business model that thrives on attention, reach, and public outrage. Clicks, likes, and popularity on the internet are often a kind of currency.
The film also examines this story as an example of societal prejudices that are often combined in modern conspiracy theories. Experts talk about a mix of sexism, age discrimination, homophobia, and transphobia. These are precisely the topics that are especially suitable for emotionally charged campaigns because they touch on existing fears and prejudices.
One key fact remains unchanged: there is no reliable evidence to support the claim that Brigitte Macron was born a man. The documentary therefore focuses not so much on the truthfulness of the rumors, but on the mechanisms of their spread. It demonstrates how unfounded claims take on a life of their own and how political interests, social networks, and economic incentives intertwine in this process.
This creates a portrait of an era when rumors cease to be just a topic at the pub table and can reach millions of people within hours. The story about Brigitte Macron serves as an example of a larger phenomenon: the power of modern disinformation and its ability to sustain influence on political discussions.
Author: C.H.