Macron’s horrible year is bound to get even worse Web of perverse “coincidences” among the president’s inner circle

With just three months left in the calendar, French President Emmanuel Macron is likely counting down the days until 2025 comes to a close. This year has proven to be one of the most challenging of his political career—and even his personal life. The year began with a bombshell: Macron and France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron’s legal team sending a threatening letter to an American political commentator over her release of an explosive multi-part documentary on the couple, a production that went viral across the globe thanks to its free access on YouTube.

The early months of the year saw Macron navigating the familiar pressures of domestic politics while confronting the looming threat to Europe posed by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, alongside the economic pressures of the new administration in Washington. Macron also took bold steps on the international stage, spearheading two major initiatives aimed at global stability: the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” to support Ukraine, and a worldwide diplomatic tour to encourage countries to follow France’s lead in recognising Palestinian statehood.

Back at home, economic challenges took centre stage. Crippling public debt fuelled heated political debates, culminating in the dramatic collapse of the French government under Prime Minister François Bayrou earlier this month after his plan to tackle this issue backfired. The political elite barely had time to regroup when nationwide strikes—including by air traffic controllers and other industries—brought much of France to a standstill on September 18.

So far, 2025 has been a relentless year for Macron, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Attention is now turning to the ongoing court case in Delaware, where the Macrons’ lawsuit against the activist’s production company is set to unfold. With the avalanche of political headlines eclipsing the news coverage on the court case, Caliber.Az provides an overview of the details of this high-stakes legal battle.

The case, should it move on to trial, would be a legal sensation as it would mark the first time that a private citizen is being sued by the sitting head of state of another state in her home country. American conservative commentator and podcaster Candace Owens was served with a defamation suit filed by the Macron couple in late July 2025 after several months of written exchanges with the podcaster.

The French first couple’s defence team alleges Owens knowingly endorsed, manufactured, and promoted a series of false statements about them with malicious intent on her 8-part YouTube series depicting details of an investigation conducted by French journalist Xavier Poussard. He summarised his findings in a book titled “Becoming Brigitte”, which Owens states multiple times was used as the foundation for her claims. Interestingly enough, the French author was not served with any court case against him, as only Owens was accused of having subjected the Macrons to a “campaign of global humiliation.”

At the heart of the 22 counts is Owens’ statement that echoes that of Poussard that Brigitte Macron is secretly a transgender woman and was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, a name she is presenting to the public as being that of her biological brother, about whom little public records exist. 

In recounting this dramatic narrative, which at first glance might resemble an enticing story spun for conspiracy theorists, Owens highlights not only alleged inconsistencies in the French First Lady’s biography but also the shadowy influence of the French elite who supported President Macron on his path to the Élysée Palace as well as disturbing aspects relating to the people he chose to surround himself with once entering office.

In her series, Owens sheds light on Poussard’s claims, which he made following interviews with former colleagues of Macron, that a young Emmanuel was hand-picked by the preeminent Rothschild dynasty as a young financier in their bank to eventually occupy public office and advance politically—not due to his own merit but because of his loyalties to powerful backers.

Throughout the series, Owens concedes that gaps in Brigitte Macron’s early life remain unverified and that the theory stems not from proof Brigitte was born male, but from an absence of evidence she was born female and the couple’s unwillingness to provide material proving otherwise. However, the same cannot be said about the information concerning President Macron and his inner circle, which is factual, citing instances of sexual misconduct and connections to paedophilic cases in which several individuals have been convicted in court.

This article will examine the elements of Owens’ series concerning Emmanuel Macron, focusing on his connections with the individuals who supported him during and after his rise to the presidency, as well as the recurring pattern of morally corrupt behaviour within his inner circle, particularly involving sexual abuse of minors and incest.

The series devotes a significant portion to exploring the recurring theme of sexual abuse of minors among the individuals the Macron couple surrounds themselves with.

Presidential portrait featuring book by author known for pederasty

When Emmanuel Macron assumed the presidency in 2017, the Élysée Palace released his official portrait, showing him standing behind his desk with the French and European Union flags nearby. Among the items on the desk is Charles de Gaulle’s memoir, along with two other books that are less immediately recognisable: The Nourishments of the Earth by André Gide and The Red and the Black by Stendhal.

According to Owens, Macron has spoken publicly about Gide’s impact on his own life, telling a literary critic that the author “showed me the path that feeds from the cerebral to overflowing sensuality.” This particular work of Gide emphasises indulgence in sensory pleasures, the pursuit of freedom, and living authentically without fear of judgment—messages that resonate throughout his writings.

However, many of Gide’s works also contain subtle references to his attraction to young boys, a topic he openly addressed later in life before he eventually wrote about it very evidently. In his autobiography Si le grain ne meurt (If It Die), Gide at last explicitly recounts, in graphic detail, his sexual encounters with a pre-pubescent boy during a trip to Algeria in the early 20th century, coinciding with his meeting with Oscar Wilde, who similarly spoke openly about his homosexuality.

Owens raises the provocative question: “What message did the young and dashing President of the French Republic send with this portrait, displayed in town halls across the country?” The query invites reflection on why Macron chose Gide—a figure with a controversial sexual history—over countless other French literary icons for his official introduction to the French people.

Convicted paedophile’s works displayed in Élysée Palace

The decoration of the presidential seat can act as a powerful symbol and serves as a bridge between the head of state to the nation. The art and historic artefacts chosen for display in the palace—visible to both domestic and international visitors—communicate a story about each sitting president. Owens draws attention to a carpet selected by the Macron couple for one of the palace suites, a room frequently used by the president for meetings with journalists and media representatives.

The carpet, designed by prominent French artist Claude Lévêque, was personally chosen by Brigitte Macron during a visit to the Mobilier National, the national agency responsible for preserving state furniture and decorations. The controversy, however, does not stem from the carpet itself, but from its creator. Lévêque, whose works have been exhibited in prestigious venues including the French pavilion at international expositions, was indicted on March 31, 2023, for the “rape of a minor under 15” and “rape of a minor by a person with legal or de facto authority over the victim.” Several accusers have spoken publicly to French media about the abuse they suffered during their childhood.

During the investigation, Lévêque admitted to abusing young men, though he claimed the victims were around 15 years old at the time, an attempt to reduce the severity of potential sentencing. While the proceedings are still ongoing, his works have been removed from many galleries and public facilities. By the end of 2024, the French Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot noted that the carpet would “most certainly be removed” from the Élysée Palace, indicating that over 18 months following his arrest, this had still not been done.

Revelation of incest by Macron’s PR confidante

Another person from Macron's inner circle who has been linked to this type of criminal behaviour is Olivier Duhamel, an acclaimed professor who was a faculty member at the elite Sciences Po and Pantheon Sorbonne. According to Owens, the renowned intellectual is known to have been supporting Macron during his first presidential campaign and advised him on PR matters, seeing as he is the co-founder of the Pouvoirs publication. 

Duhamel has also been the co-author of a biography on Macron titled “Macron, et en même temps...”, his politics and philosophy, which was published shortly after his election win in 2017. 

Serving for several years as an elected member of the European Parliament for the Socialist Party, Duhamel's step-daughter, Camille Kouchner, accused him in her autobiography of having sexually abused her twin brother when he was still a pubescent. As reported by France 24, the renowned professor confessed to the abuse during a police interrogation in 2021 and subsequently announced his resignation from all his posts.

Ex-minister defends paedophilic & incestuous lifestyle in court

The list of individuals from Macron's inner circle that have been linked to this type of predatory sexual behaviour does not end there. A follow-up episode to the 8-part series was uploaded to Owens’ YouTube channel after the Macrons filed the defamation lawsuit. It is there that she introduces yet another name of a person integral to the French couple’s inner circle: the former French Minister for Justice Éric Dupond-Moretti. 

She reveals to her audience that the ex-minister is assisting the couple’s US lawyers in their preparation for the court case against Owens. Dupond-Moretti has also spoken rather passionately about this development on French national TV following the filing of the lawsuit, accusing Owens of being guided in this campaign by the French right-wing political camp, particularly politicians Marine Le Pen and her niece Marion Maréchal. 

Before climbing to the top of the ministerial office, Dupond-Moretti worked as a defence lawyer on high-profile cases, including one involving a double homicide and incest. In that case, Dennis Mannechez was accused of repeatedly raping his two daughters during their childhood and continuing an incestuous relationship with one of them in later years. Mannechez was living together with his daughter, Virginie, while continuing the sexual nature of their relationship, which led to the conception of a baby boy. 

He was eventually tried and found guilty in 2008 before a court for their rape, together with his legal wife and the mother of the daughters. The father was allowed to choose the legal representation for his daughter, with the choice falling on Dupond-Moretti.

During the trial, the Macron future minister pointed to expert testimony provided by the defence team’s chosen psychiatrist, who suggested that the sexual relationship Mannechez had with his daughters was an example of “happy incest.” 

"The lawyers convinced us to say that we were in love with our father and asked for sex with him," Betty Mannechez, the surviving daughter, recalled in her book, as cited by French media outlet Le Media TV. 

And it is easy to persuade incest victims to adopt this discourse, she wrote: "We are prisoners all the time. We are blocked by terror, but we are also blocked by a child's love.” The newspaper article further pointed out that the plaintiffs, meaning the daughters, were very impressed by their lawyer, a real media figure, Dupond-Moretti, which made convincing them easier.

According to Owens, the younger sister backtracked her accusation upon Virginie’s request as she feared losing custody of her son. The parents’ sentence was reduced, and they were able to avoid a jail sentence for having served enough time in pre-trial detention. 

Following his release, Mannechez returned to his daughter Virginie and their common son, but their relationship did not last. After his daughter left him in 2014 and took their son with her to find refuge with her employer, the enraged Mannechez tracked her down and killed both Virginie and her boss. The double homicide and incest case caused shockwaves throughout France, with many remembering Dupond-Moretti’s controversial attempt to justify Mannechez’s sick sexual deviation towards his daughter when he was chosen to lead the Ministry of Justice in 2020. 

Dupond-Moretti has led the law agency in Macron’s administration from 2020 to 2024, which was plagued by a scandal that saw him accused of having used his position to obtain baseless sanctions against magistrates who were investigating his clients and friends. President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne have supported Dupond-Moretti throughout the case, for which he was eventually acquitted. 

The series also delved into concerns regarding Macron’s credentials, or lack thereof, during his financial career.

Elite connections over merit: Macron’s controversial rise to power

Although Emmanuel Macron received his higher education in the field of philosophy, he began his professional career in the world of finance. Following a stint as a financial inspector at an agency affiliated with the Ministry of Finance and various other public organisations, he joined the prestigious Rothschild & Cie Banque as an investment banker. As the name indicates, the bank is controlled by the French branch of the mighty Rothschild dynasty, a Jewish banking family that has been an integral part of Europe’s elite dating back several centuries. 

In her series, Owens cites Macron’s own statements and those made by former colleagues of his at the bank. It comes out that he was brought in by David de Rothschild, a prominent member of the family’s French branch, one of only two besides the British branch that survived over the centuries. 

"I had a very unintelligible background. No one could understand me outside of Rothschild", and "David de Rothschild knows about my commitment" are two quotes Owens attributes to President Macron, cited from Xavier Poussard's book. 

Another quote included in the book is that of Sophie Javary, a financial executive who joined Rothschild in 1994 to head equity capital markets until 2008. She became a General Partner of Rothschild in 2002 and managed ABN AMRO Rothschild in Paris from 2001 to 2008, where she trained the young Macron. According to Poussard’s book, she is reported to have said that "he [Macron] had very high-level contacts for our files with links to the state", adding that her most experienced colleagues were surprised by his support at the top level of the bank, notably David De Rothschild and his right-hand man, François Henrot, who occasionally allowed him to bypass his immediate hierarchy. 

The book alleges that this support allowed Macron to become the youngest partner in the bank's history at the age of 32, even though Poussard refers to other colleagues of Macron at the time describing him as a "poor technician".

French journalist Marc Endeweld, known for publishing several investigative works on the current president, cites colleagues who reportedly described Macron as having a limited grasp of finance. They have also been quoted in a Financial Times article, where they humorously noting that he did not even know how to calculate EBITDA—a standard metric used to assess a company’s financial health.

The Rothschild clan has historically always enjoyed close ties to France’s ruling circles, which is why the publicly known relation to the youngest president is no surprise. Back in 2017, an article published in the Foreign Policy publication shed light on this connection between the then-newly elected head of state and the banking dynasty, providing a similar vision of the young Macron’s reputation in the bank, though presented under a softer, kinder light. “His primary skill lay not in number-crunching but in reaching out to potential clients, seducing them with his charm, sharp mind, penchant for philosophical literature (he had studied philosophy in college), and keen musical gifts”, the article wrote. 

Overall, Owens recounts the rumours that surrounded Macron during his tenure at the bank, suggesting that he was hand-picked by Rothschild executives for his loyalty to them, paving his path not only within the financial institution but later into public office.

In the course of her series, the US host also touches upon the persistent rumours that have surrounded the Rothschilds over the years, namely that of incest and sexual misconduct being perpetuated against minors within the family. She points to several Rothschild family members speaking out about those practices, which are particularly troubling in the context of the countless number of people surrounding Macron who display similar deviancies. 

Filtering out speculation from facts

Candace Owens’ 8-part series, produced in collaboration with French journalist Poussard, has attracted millions of viewers worldwide, with each YouTube episode averaging over 3 million views. There can be no doubt that the more sensational and enticing aspects of the investigative reporting relating to the French First Lady’s biological gender, the suspicious gap in her biography and lack of photos documenting those formative years are what draw many viewers to the series. 

While Owens repeatedly underscores that it is the striking absence of information pointing otherwise that prompted French journalists to pose questions, these sensational details can be debated and debunked with evidence, which is precisely what could happen if the Macrons’ defamation case against Owens goes to trial.

However, the material concerning President Macron himself is far less speculative. Numerous cases of sexual assault against minors and incest linked to his inner circle, combined with his apparent choice to keep such individuals nearby even after assuming office, raise serious questions. How many similar incidents must occur before this can be identified as a pattern rather than a wild coincidence that is simply burdening the Macrons?

While the collusion of a society’s elite and its governing leaders is not a novel occurrence and is, in most cases, not a criminal offence in itself, the fact that even this association with the influential Rothschild dynasty is stained with allegations of sexual misconduct with minors. 

It remains to be seen what evidence the Macrons will actually present to support their claims that Owens knowingly spread false statements with malicious intent. Lawyers for the French president and first lady have informed media outlets that the couple is prepared to travel to Delaware to appear in person should the trial proceed.

By Nazrin Sadigova