In recent days, a digitally altered photograph has been circulating on social media platforms, falsely claiming to depict Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, as a young man. This misinformation has sparked controversy and necessitated a thorough fact-check to set the record straight.
The image in question is a black-and-white photograph of a young male model, taken during a 2009 photoshoot in Moscow. The original, unedited version of this image can be found on Depositphotos, a stock photography website founded in the same year as the photoshoot. The photographer, Elena Rostunova, has confirmed that the subject is not Brigitte Macron, but a male model she photographed over 15 years ago.
This false narrative is part of a broader pattern of misinformation targeting Brigitte Macron. In 2021, she initiated legal proceedings to counter false claims about her gender identity. A libel case, filed in 2022, went to trial on June 19, 2024, with a decision expected on September 12, 2024.
The authentic image of Brigitte Macron used in the misleading social media posts was taken on June 7, 2023, at the Louvre Museum in Paris. This world-renowned art institution, which became a museum in 1793 during the French Revolution, served as the backdrop for a photograph featuring Brigitte Macron, her husband Emmanuel Macron, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and his daughter Laura Mattarella.
It's worth noting that Brigitte Macron, 24 years senior to her husband, has been a subject of public interest since Emmanuel Macron became the youngest president in French history in 2017, at the age of 39. Their relationship, which began when he was her high school drama student, has often been scrutinized in the media.
As First Lady, Brigitte Macron has focused her efforts on education and children's welfare issues. Her role is carried out within the context of France's rich political history, including five republics since the French Revolution of 1789 and the current constitution adopted in 1958.
This incident underscores the importance of fact-checking in the digital age. As misinformation continues to proliferate on social media platforms, the practice of fact-checking, which gained prominence in the early 2000s, has become increasingly crucial. News organizations like Reuters, founded in 1851, play a vital role in verifying information and debunking false claims.
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In conclusion, the altered image circulating online is a manipulated version of a 2009 photograph of a male model, not a young Brigitte Macron. This fact-check serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and verification in the age of social media and digital manipulation.