Brigitte Macron ‘born a man' theory gains traction after Paris court's controversial decision
Roy, 53, and Rey, 49, had claimed they were subjected to 'intimidation' by authorities as 'ultra protected' members tried to cover up a 'state secret'. Claims about the 72-year-old first lady, whose maiden name is Trogneux, was born 'a man' and was named Jean-Michel Trogneux surfaced. She does have a brother - Jean-Michel.
Read More: French President Emmanuel Macron winks at Kate Middleton during Windsor dinner; netizens say 'smitten by princess'
Brigitte Macron filed a libel complaint against the two women after they made the outrageous claims in a YouTube video in 2021. The claim went viral and sparked conspiracy theories.
A court in September last year ordered the women to pay 8,000 euros in damages to Brigitte Macron, and 5,000 euros ($5,500) to her brother. In January 2025, American commentator Candace Owens reignited the theory in a video titled Becoming Brigitte: An Introduction, claiming to 'stake [her] career'.
President Emmanuel Macron called the rumors 'false information' that 'disturb intimacy". Tiphaine Auzière, Brigitte's daughter, labeled them 'grotesque' harassment.
Read More: King Charles shocking 'bloodshot eye' amid France's Macron state visit sparks concerns, Palace issues statement
Reacting to the Thursday ruling, one social media user said: 'Brigitte Macron (born Jean Michel Trogneux) isn't just a man, but the Father of President Macron of France.'
'Brigitte Macron, The French President's Emmanuel Macron's Wife is allegedly a MAN and it's now going Mainstream in France,' another one added on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.
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Hindustan Times
9 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Donald Trump pulls the trigger, doubles India levy to 50%
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday imposing an additional 25% tariff on all Indian goods entering the US, carrying out his threat made a day ago to penalise New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian oil. Trump's additional 25% tariff followed after over a week of criticism focused on New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian energy. (REUTERS) The additional 25%, due to take effect on August 27, puts India at par with Brazil as the two countries whose exports will face the highest levy of 50% on their goods. The duties would put Indian exporters at a significant disadvantage compared to their rivals in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Vietnam – which face tariffs of between 19% and 20% tariffs. 'I have received additional information from various senior officials on the actions of the government of the Russian Federation with respect to the situation in Ukraine,' Trump wrote in the executive order. 'I determine that it is necessary and appropriate to impose an additional ad valorem duty on imports of articles of India, which is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil.' India hit back, reiterating that the American actions are 'unfair, unjustified and unreasonable'. 'India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests,' ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement, adding that it was 'extremely unfortunate' that the US had chosen to act against India 'for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest'. He was alluding to continuing imports of Russian energy, especially LNG, by European Union (EU) member states that have paid Russia $105.6 billion for gas imports since the start of the invasion of Ukraine. Almost 87% of all EU imports of Russian LNG went to Spain, France or Belgium, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be named. To be sure, the executive order continues exemptions provided earlier for sectors like pharmaceuticals and smartphones — though how long these exemptions remain is unclear. The order also exempts goods that are already in transit to America and which will clear US customs before September 17. 'The move places India among the most heavily taxed US trading partners, far above rivals such as China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, and threatens most of India's $86.5 billion in annual exports to the US, from textiles to machinery,' according to analysis by the Global Trade Research Institute. 'The tariffs are expected to make Indian goods far costlier in the US, with potential to cut US-bound exports by 40–50%,' the GTRI analysis added. The executive order issued on Wednesday specifies that certain exemptions will continue. Among these are Section 232 national security exemptions that protect Indian pharmaceuticals — which account for about 40% of America's generic medicines — along with electronics, semiconductors and technology products that form the backbone of bilateral trade. Additional exemptions under Executive Order 14257's Annex II cover raw materials, certain metals and chemical formulations. Select product categories like apparels, vehicles and parts, furniture, organic chemicals and some food products like shrimp – which account for billions of dollars of exports -- will now face high tariffs entering the US market. Trump's additional 25% tariff followed after over a week of criticism focused on New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian energy. Washington has sought to increase economic pressure on Russia to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war by restricting Moscow's oil export revenues. India is Russia's second largest market for oil exports after China. In 2024, China purchased Russian oil worth $62.6 billion, followed by India's purchases to the tune of $52.7 billion. In the order, the US president also specified that he may – in the 21 days before the order takes effect – change the levy if 'if another country retaliates against the United States in response to this action, or if the government of the Russian Federation or a foreign country impacted by this order takes significant steps to address the national emergency and align sufficiently with the United States on national security, foreign policy, and economic matters.' In other words, Trump held out both a threat that he could ratchet up the levy or pare it back, depending on any retaliation or changes to Russia's stance in the war against Ukraine. Trump has set an August 8 deadline for Russia to agree to a Ukraine truce deal. 'There's a higher chance that India will find loopholes to concede the agri/soybean access the US has been asking for, than there is for India to halt oil purchases from Russia due to external pressure. Either way, it is unlikely that a decision will be taken on either front as long as Parliament is in session. Momentum on real solutions shouldn't be expected before August 20,' says Prerna Bountra, Deputy Director at the Ananta Aspen Centre, a New Delhi-based think tank. The rising tensions between India and the United States have also spiralled into a political controversy, with Opposition parties objecting to the government's handling of ties with America. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the move 'economic blackmail' by the US to bully India into an unfair trade deal, adding Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not let Indian interests be overridden. (With inputs from Rezaul H Laskar in New Delhi)
Hindustan Times
9 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Quornelius Samentrio Radford: 5 facts about Fort Stewart shooter
Quornelius Samentrio Radford, 28, has been identified as the suspect in the Fort Stewart shooting that left five soldiers injured on Wednesday morning. The incident took place at the U.S. Army base in Georgia. Radford was quickly subdued and taken into custody at the scene. Traffic enters Fort Stewart at the main entrance gate following an active shooter incident on the U.S. Army base located in Hinesville, Georgia, U.S. August 6, 2025. (via REUTERS) Who is Quornelius Samentrio Radford? Radford is an automated logistics sergeant assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. He has no known combat history. Prior DUI Arrest Went Unnoticed by Command In May, Radford was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) during a traffic stop in Liberty County, Georgia. However, according to Brig. Gen. John Lubas, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, his chain of command was unaware of the arrest until after the shooting. 'I do believe he was arrested locally for a DUI. That was unknown to his chain of command until the event occurred and we and we started looking into the law enforcement databases,' Lubas said during a press briefing on Wednesday. Also Read: Quornelius Radford: First photo of Fort Stewart shooting suspect surfaces; DUI arrest details out Shooter Used Personal Handgun Radford used a personally owned handgun, not a military-issued weapon, during the attack. 'I can I can confirm it was not a military weapon. And we believe it was a personal handgun,' Lubas told reporters. 'We're going to have to determine how he was able to get a handgun to his place of duty.' No Known Behavioral Issues Prior to Incident Military officials say there were no known behavioral red flags prior to the shooting. 'It's early in the investigation, but not that I'm currently aware of,' Lubas said. Also Read: Quornelius Radford a Democratic voter? New claims about Fort Stewart shooter emerge Soldiers Subdued the Shooter Soldiers nearby acted immediately to stop the shooting. They tackled and subdued Radford, allowing military police to detain him. 'Soldiers in the area that witnessed the shooting immediately and without hesitation tackled the soldier, subdued him. That allowed law enforcement to then take him into custody,' Lubas said at the press conference. Motive Remains Unclear The motive for the shooting is still under investigation. Radford has been interviewed by Army investigators. 'We're still not certain about the motivation, but again, he's been interviewed by Army investigators and we believe we'll gain more information here shortly,' Lubas said.
The Hindu
9 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Brazil requests consultations at WTO over Trump's tariffs
Brazil requested consultations at the World Trade Organization over tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump against the South American nation that went into effect on Wednesday (August 6, 2025). Mr. Trump has directly tied the 50% tariff on many imported Brazilian goods to the judicial situation of his embattled ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest. "The United States has flagrantly violated key commitments the country has agreed upon at the WTO, such as the principle of the most favored nation and tariff ceilings negotiated at that organisation,' Brazil's foreign ministry said in a statement. The most favoured nation principle is a cornerstone of Geneva-based WTO, whose aim is to get countries to respect trade agreements. The principle directs its members to treat each other equally in trade. WTO panels are set if no agreement is reached in disputes between members. 'Brazil's government reiterates its availability for negotiation and hopes these consultations contribute to a solution to the matter,' the Brazilian foreign office said. The U.S. government has not made comments about Brazil's move. WTO needs revamp: Lula Earlier, a Brazilian government official told The Associated Press that the case could drag on and there's no guarantee of success. The official, who wasn't authorised to discuss the matter publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has repeatedly said that the trade body needs a revamp to be enabled to mediate in conflicts. Brazil's government estimates that 35.9% of the country's goods shipped to the American market have been affected. That is about 4% of Brazil's total exports. Mr. Trump directly tied the 50% tariff on imported Brazilian goods to the judicial situation of his embattled ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest. Last month, Bolsonaro was ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor and to obey a curfew while the proceedings are underway. Lula is yet to speak about the move. On Tuesday, the leftist leader said he wouldn't call Mr. Trump to talk about trade 'because he doesn't want to' speak about it. Lula said that he might instead 'invite him to attend (November's climate summit) COP in Belem.'
