The internet practically melted when Candace Owens dropped the first episode of her investigative series. If you've been following the saga, you know it isn't just about a podcast. It's a full-blown international legal war involving the French President himself.
Honestly, the sheer scale of the drama is wild.
The series, titled Becoming Brigitte, kicked off its first episode on February 4, 2025. Entitled "Gaslighting the Public," it set the stage for what would become an eight-part marathon of conspiracy theories, deep-dive "research," and a massive defamation lawsuit from Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron. People are still arguing about whether this is investigative journalism or just high-budget trolling.
The Hook: Candace Owens Becoming Brigitte Episode 1
In the premiere of Candace Owens Becoming Brigitte Episode 1, Owens doesn't waste any time. She basically tells her audience that she is staking her entire professional reputation on one central, explosive claim: that Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, was born a biological male named Jean-Michel Trogneux.
It’s a heavy bet.
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Owens spent the better part of 52 minutes in that first episode laying out why she believes the public has been "gaslit" for decades. She points to the work of Xavier Poussard, a French journalist who has been the primary source for these claims in France. According to Owens, the "official" history of Brigitte Macron—her childhood photos, her first marriage, even the birth of her three children—is a carefully constructed narrative meant to hide a much stranger truth.
What was actually in the first episode?
The episode is a mix of photo analysis and "connecting the dots." Owens focuses heavily on the lack of certain records and what she describes as "anatomical discrepancies" in old photographs. She argues that the French media and government have conspired to suppress the Jean-Michel Trogneux theory.
- The Jean-Michel Theory: The idea that Brigitte "stole" the identity of her brother, Jean-Michel.
- The "Grooming" Allegation: Owens leans hard into the history of how the Macrons met—when Emmanuel was a 15-year-old student and Brigitte was his 39-year-old teacher.
- The Paper Trail: Claims that birth certificates and family trees don't quite line up under intense scrutiny.
It’s definitely a lot to process. While the Macrons have provided photos of Brigitte as a young girl and pointed to her three adult children as living proof of her biological sex, Owens argues in the episode that these are part of the "gaslighting" effort.
Why the Macrons are Sued
You can't talk about episode one without talking about the 219-page lawsuit that followed it. French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte filed a defamation suit in Delaware, accusing Owens of manufacturing a "grotesque narrative."
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They aren't just looking for an apology. They're alleging that Owens used these "far-fetched fictions" to monetize her platform and sell merchandise—like that infamous shirt featuring Brigitte on a fake "Man of the Year" cover.
Owens, true to form, hasn't backed down. She actually used the lawsuit as "proof" that she was onto something. In her follow-up commentary, she basically said that if the claims were truly ridiculous, a world leader wouldn't bother suing a podcaster in a foreign court. It’s a classic "if you’re catching flak, you’re over the target" defense.
The Experts Weigh In (And They’re Skeptical)
If you talk to political scientists or disinformation researchers, they'll tell you this is part of a broader trend called "transvestigating." This is where conspiracy theorists look at high-profile women—Michelle Obama is another frequent target—and try to find "proof" they are secretly men.
Experts like Joseph Uscinski, who literally wrote the book on conspiracy theories, note that these attacks almost always target influential women who break traditional gender norms. Brigitte Macron, with her unconventional marriage and high-fashion persona, fits the profile for these kinds of theories.
Plus, there’s the Xavier Poussard connection. Poussard’s sources, including a "clairvoyant" named Amandine Roy, were already found liable for libel in French courts. Owens acknowledges this but suggests the French legal system is just protecting its elites.
What Happens After Episode 1?
The series doesn't stop with the "gaslighting" intro. As the episodes progress, Owens dives into even darker territory, including claims about MKUltra, CIA mind control, and allegations that the Macrons' relationship is somehow "incestuous" due to blood ties.
It gets pretty out there.
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But for many of her followers, the appeal isn't necessarily the technical "truth" of every claim. It's the "I'm going to say what no one else is allowed to say" attitude. Owens has positioned herself as a lone truth-teller fighting against a "globalist" cover-up. Whether you believe her or think she's peddling dangerous misinformation, the impact on the digital landscape is undeniable.
How to watch (or not)
If you’re looking to find the episode, it’s mostly hosted on platforms like Rumble and Apple Podcasts. Mainstream platforms like YouTube have been more restrictive with the content due to their policies on harassment and misinformation.
- Rumble: Where most of the uncensored footage lives.
- Apple Podcasts: The audio-only version is still widely available.
- X (formerly Twitter): Owens often posts clips and links to her nearly 7 million followers here.
Your Next Steps
If you're trying to make sense of the Candace Owens Becoming Brigitte Episode 1 controversy, the best thing to do is look at the primary sources from both sides.
- Watch the episode with a critical eye. Notice where Owens uses definitive evidence versus where she uses "common sense" or "it just looks weird" arguments.
- Read the Macrons' legal complaint. It’s long, but it outlines specifically which photos and documents they claim disprove the "Jean-Michel" theory.
- Check the French court rulings. Look up the case of Natacha Rey and Amandine Roy to see why the French courts initially ruled against the sources Owens relies on.
The saga is far from over. With the U.S. lawsuit moving forward, we’re likely to see a discovery process that could, for the first time, force these theories into a courtroom where "vibes" don't count as evidence.