A long-running dispute tied to French First Lady Brigitte Macron has flared up again, this time over a public bet between Candace Owens and Piers Morgan. Owens says a recent French appeals court decision means Morgan should pay up.

Morgan says she is twisting what the court actually ruled. Candace Owens has repeatedly pushed an unproven claim that Brigitte Macron was born male. After the latest court move in France, Owens says she has been proven right.

The conspiracy claim says Brigitte Macron, 72, was born a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux. That name belongs to her older brother. The story gained traction in far-right circles in France around 2017, as Emmanuel Macron rose in national politics.

The rumor surged again in December 2021 after a four-hour YouTube video by two French women, Natacha Rey (who described herself as a journalist) and Amandine Roy (a spiritual medium who also used the name Delphine Jegousse).

The video drew hundreds of thousands of views before it was taken down. It accused the Macrons of hiding the truth through a major cover-up. Brigitte Macron and her brother later filed a defamation complaint.

In September 2024, a Paris court convicted Rey and Roy of libel. The court ordered them to pay €8,000 to Brigitte Macron and €5,000 to her brother.

Candace Owens Brings the Claim to a US Audience

That changed in July 2025. The Paris Court of Appeal overturned the convictions and cleared both women. The court said their statements were made in “good faith” and fell under freedom of expression. The judges also stressed that the ruling was about defamation rules, not whether the claim was true.

Brigitte Macron has appealed again, taking the case to France’s top court, the Cour de Cassation. That appeal is still pending.

The rumor spread more widely in the United States in early 2024, when Candace Owens, a conservative podcaster with a large audience, released multiple episodes focused on the theory.

Her series was titled “Becoming Brigitte.” Owens leaned on the work of Rey and Roy, along with what she called her own research and what she described as gaps in public records.

Owens said she would “stake my entire professional reputation” on the claim. She also called it “likely the biggest scandal in political history.”

Major fact-checkers, including Reuters and Snopes, have rejected the claim. They point to publicly available material such as childhood photos, birth announcements, and the fact that Brigitte Macron has three children from a prior marriage.

The Bet With Piers Morgan

The fight turned into a headline moment on Piers Morgan’s show, “Uncensored.” Morgan challenged Owens on air and said he would bet that Brigitte Macron is a woman. The amount grew over time, starting at $100,000, then rising to $150,000, and later to $300,000 across appearances.

Owens accepted and said she was “1000 percent” sure. Morgan said the story was baseless and fueled by attention and outrage. After the July 2025 appeals court ruling in France, Owens posted online and repeated on her podcast that she had won.

In a recent episode, she said she wouldn’t “let Piers Morgan off the hook.” She argued that the court decision cleared the women who promoted the claim, and that Morgan should now pay $300,000, either to charity or to her.

Morgan has rejected that reading of the decision. In interviews, he has said the French court did not validate the rumor. He has also pointed out that the judges focused on “good faith” and free speech protections, not proof of the allegation.

Morgan has continued to frame the bet around his view that Brigitte Macron is a woman, while also pointing to her three children.

More Lawsuits, More Fallout

The French appeal ruling landed at the same time the Macrons expanded their legal fight. In July 2025, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron filed a 219-page defamation lawsuit against Owens in Delaware Superior Court, where her media companies are incorporated.

The filing accuses Owens of running a “campaign of global humiliation” for profit. It also points to merchandise tied to the rumor.

The complaint lays out material meant to rebut the allegation, including newspaper birth announcements from the time and family photos. Owens has said she plans to fight the case. She has framed it as an attack on free speech and has suggested more surprises are coming.

In a separate case, a Paris court in October 2025 tried ten people accused of cyber-harassment linked to similar claims about Brigitte Macron. Several defendants reportedly pointed to Owens’s content.

Why the Brigitte Story Keeps Spreading

The dispute shows how hard it is to stop misinformation once it takes off, especially when it jumps countries and languages. Researchers who track misinformation say the rumor survives because it fits neatly into conspiracy communities and culture-war content, even without solid evidence.

Brigitte Macron, a former teacher who met Emmanuel Macron when she taught drama at his school, has rarely addressed the rumors in public. She has focused on legal action instead. Emmanuel Macron has described the attacks as misogynistic and aimed at weakening him politically.

With the Cour de Cassation still reviewing the French appeal and the US defamation lawsuit moving forward, Owens keeps pressing her claims on air. The bet has become a stand-in for a wider political fight, and it remains unclear if Morgan will ever write a check.

Candace Owens treats the appeals court outcome as enough to claim victory. Critics warn that treating a procedural ruling as proof risks keeping the false claim alive. As 2025 ends, the story shows no real sign of going away.

Related News:

Candace Owens Alleges FBI Was Involved in Kirk Assassination Coverup

LOS ANGELES – Hollywood is in mourning after legendary director and actor Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife of 36 years, photographer and producer Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home on Sunday afternoon.

The Los Angeles Police Department is treating the case as a double homicide, and multiple outlets, including People, report that the couple’s son, Nick Reiner, is alleged to be responsible.

News of their deaths has stunned the entertainment community and fans around the world, leaving many grieving the loss of a beloved filmmaker and his longtime partner.

Paramedics with the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical emergency call at the Reiner residence on the 200 block of South Chadbourne Avenue at about 3:38 p.m. on December 14. When they entered the home, they found both Rob and Michele Reiner dead with multiple stab wounds.

Law enforcement sources, cited by the Los Angeles Times, said there were no signs of forced entry.

The LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division quickly took control of the investigation. During a late-night press briefing, Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton confirmed that detectives are actively working the case but said that no suspect has been formally identified or detained.

He added that police are not looking for any person outside the couple’s close circle. A search warrant was being processed so investigators could fully examine the property.

According to reports, the couple’s daughter, Romy Reiner, who lives nearby, found the bodies and made the 911 call, describing what she believed to be a “family incident.”

Sources close to the family told People and other outlets that 32-year-old Nick Reiner, who has publicly spoken about his long struggle with drug addiction, is suspected of the killings. Nick previously shared details of his substance abuse and periods of homelessness during press for the 2015 semi-autobiographical film Being Charlie, which he co-wrote with his father.

Current Status of the Investigation

As of Monday morning, the LAPD has classified the deaths as an “apparent homicide” and has released only limited information while they await autopsy findings from the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. While officials have not confirmed the recovery of a weapon, stab wounds were clearly visible at the scene.

Law enforcement sources told ABC News and Variety that high-ranking LAPD officials responded in person, underscoring the profile of the case and the attention it has drawn. Family members, including a relative who was seen leaving the neighborhood, have spoken with investigators, but police have not announced any arrests.

In a brief statement released Sunday night, the Reiner family said, “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”

Rob Reiner’s Friends, Colleagues, and Fans React

By early Monday, tributes had begun pouring in as Hollywood woke up to the news that one of its most familiar and respected figures was gone.

Christopher Guest and Jamie Lee Curtis, close friends of the couple who were married at the Reiners’ home in 1984, shared a joint statement: “Christopher and I are numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michele Singer Reiner.

Our ONLY focus and care right now is for their children and immediate families, and we will offer all support possible to help them.” The guest recently worked with Rob again on Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.

The family of producer Norman Lear, who was a mentor and father figure to Rob Reiner through their work on All in the Family, also reacted with heartbreak. “The Lear Family is devastated by the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner. Norman often referred to Rob as a son… The world is unmistakably darker tonight, and we are left bereft.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom remembered Reiner as a “big-hearted genius” whose films carried “depth and timelessness” rooted in empathy and humanity. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the deaths “a devastating loss for our city and our country” and praised Reiner’s long record of activism and social engagement.

Across the industry, actors and filmmakers expressed their grief. Elijah Wood said he was “horrified” by the news, while Virginia Madsen thanked Reiner for “giving us so much joy.” Fans on social media shared favorite clips from When Harry Met Sally… and The Princess Bride, and many described Reiner as a kind, thoughtful presence who shaped their love of movies.

A Remarkable Hollywood Life: From “Meathead” to Acclaimed Director

Rob Reiner’s career covered nearly seven decades and left a lasting mark on television, film, and political life.

Born in the Bronx in 1947, he grew up in a show business family. His father was legendary writer and comedian Carl Reiner, and his mother, Estelle Reiner, was an actress and singer remembered for her famous “I’ll have what she’s having” line in When Harry Met Sally…. Rob first became widely known as Michael “Meathead” Stivic, Archie Bunker’s outspoken son-in-law, on Norman Lear’s groundbreaking series All in the Family (1971–1979).

The role earned him two Emmy Awards and turned him into a familiar face in American homes.

Reiner later moved behind the camera and quickly proved himself as a director. He co-created and starred in the rock mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap (1984), which became a cult classic and eventually led to the sequel Spinal Tap II.

In the late 1980s and 1990s, he directed a string of influential films: the coming-of-age story Stand By Me (1986), the fantasy romance The Princess Bride (1987), the landmark romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally… (1989) where he first met Michele, the Stephen King thriller Misery (1990), the courtroom drama A Few Good Men (1992), and the political love story The American President (1995).

He continued working into the 2000s and beyond, directing The Bucket List (2007) with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, and the 2023 documentary Albert Brooks: Defending My Life. His films often balanced humor, emotion, and social themes, bringing in major box office success and multiple award nominations.

Outside of directing, Reiner became a prominent progressive voice in politics. He pushed for early childhood education funding through California’s Proposition 10, supported LGBTQ+ rights, and backed Democratic candidates and causes.

Reiner married actress and director Penny Marshall in 1971 and adopted her daughter, Tracy Reiner, who later appeared in A League of Their Own. After their divorce in 1981, he met Michele Singer while working on When Harry Met Sally…. The two married in 1989 and raised three children together: Jake, Nick, and Romy.

Michele built her own career as a photographer and producer and worked with Rob on several projects, including Spinal Tap II. Friends knew her for her creative eye and her warmth within their close-knit circle.

As investigators continue to piece together what happened inside the Brentwood home, the film community is remembering Rob Reiner as far more than a hit director. To many, he was a generous friend, a committed activist, and a steady presence whose work helped shape modern film and television.

His legacy, from confronting prejudice on All in the Family to creating some of the most quoted movies of all time, will live on through his work. For now, the focus remains on the Reiner children and their extended family as they face a loss that feels almost too painful to put into words.

Related News:

Two People Found Dead in Hollywood Director Rob Reiner’s Home

LOS ANGELES –  Authorities are looking into the deaths of two people, a man believed to be about 78 and a woman around 68, found Sunday afternoon inside a high-end Brentwood home owned by well-known filmmaker and outspoken liberal activist Rob Reiner.

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) crews responded to a medical emergency call around 3:30 p.m. on Chadbourne Avenue in Brentwood, a wealthy neighborhood known for its celebrity homeowners.

When paramedics entered the property, they discovered both individuals dead inside. LAFD spokesperson Margaret Stewart confirmed the approximate ages but did not share more about what first responders encountered.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) soon arrived and labeled the situation an “ambulance death investigation.” Sources say detectives from the Robbery-Homicide Division are now handling the case, which has sparked questions about whether foul play may be involved. As of late Sunday, officers had not made any arrests, and the cause of death is still unknown.

Home of Rob Reiner and His Wife Michele

Property records and neighbor accounts make clear that the mansion belongs to Rob Reiner, 78, the director behind beloved films like The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally…, and A Few Good Men. Reiner, the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, lives at the residence with his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, 68. The couple married in 1989 after meeting while he was working on one of his movies.

The reported ages of the two people found inside the home match those of Rob and Michele Reiner, which has fueled intense speculation in the press and online. However, authorities have not confirmed the identities, saying official identification will come only after next-of-kin notifications and autopsy results. Neighbors told NBC Los Angeles that the Reiners live at the address, and public documents show they own the property.

Rob Reiner first became famous as “Meathead” on the groundbreaking 1970s sitcom All in the Family, where he starred opposite Carroll O’Connor as Archie Bunker. He later moved into directing and co-founded Castle Rock Entertainment, the company behind major hits like Seinfeld and The Shawshank Redemption.

Over the past decade, Reiner has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most outspoken progressive figures. He has regularly condemned former President Donald Trump and Republican leaders, warned about threats to democracy, and produced documentaries that examine topics such as Christian nationalism. In recent interviews with left-leaning outlets, he warned that the United States could slide into “autocracy” if Trump returned to the White House.

His wife, Michele, a former photographer who once took Donald Trump’s portrait for The Art of the Deal, has largely kept a lower profile. She has supported charitable causes with her husband, including groups focused on early childhood programs and support for families.

New Details From the Ongoing Investigation

Reports from TMZ and FOX 11 Los Angeles describe a large police response on the quiet Brentwood street on Sunday evening. Officers and detectives were seen moving in and out of the house as they searched for evidence and documented the scene.

Some sources have suggested that investigators may now be treating the case as a possible homicide. Officials have pushed back on rumors and said they are still considering all options, including natural causes or other non-criminal explanations. Nothing has been ruled out at this stage.

Rob and Michele Reiner share three children. Reiner also has an adopted daughter, actress Tracy Reiner, from his previous marriage to the late director and actress Penny Marshall.

Neighbors in Brentwood described a sense of disbelief after hearing about the deaths at the well-known address. One resident told local reporters, on the condition of anonymity, that the area is usually calm and quiet and that something like this feels out of place on their street.

As the story spread online, social media was filled with tributes, rumors, and unverified claims. For a short time, Wikipedia listed a date of death for Rob Reiner before editors removed the entry and corrected the page, showing how quickly unconfirmed information can circulate.

Law enforcement officials are asking the public and media to avoid jumping to conclusions while the investigation continues. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office will perform autopsies to determine how and when the two people died.

What Comes Next

This story continues to develop, and more details are expected as investigators review evidence, speak with witnesses, and receive autopsy findings. Fox News plans to update coverage as new information comes from the LAPD and other agencies.

For now, questions linger about what led to the deaths inside one of Brentwood’s most recognizable homes and what it could mean for the legacy of a filmmaker who spent decades both entertaining audiences and speaking out on political issues from the left.

Rob Reiner’s movies have reached several generations, often focusing on love, friendship, morality, and justice. Whether the victims are confirmed to be the Reiners or not, the mystery around this case has already left Hollywood and fans on edge, waiting for clear answers from authorities.