The Disturbing Rise of Online 'Transvestigations' Targeting Public Figures
Across certain corners of the internet, a paranoid conspiracy movement has gained traction, claiming that numerous celebrities and public figures are secretly transgender individuals operating in plain sight. This phenomenon, which participants call "transvestigation," combines transphobia, misogyny, and celebrity gossip with an intensity reminiscent of QAnon theories.
From Michelle Obama to Olympic Athletes: No Woman Is Safe
For years, conspiracy theorists have circulated manipulated photos claiming former First Lady Michelle Obama is actually a man they call "Michael." The targeting extends to athletes like Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who endured a global smear campaign falsely accusing her of being trans after winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Even Harry Potter author JK Rowling, known for her transphobic views online, participated in spreading these accusations against Khelif.
"Transvestigators" typically occupy far-right spaces and employ debunked phrenological methods, using skeletal and cranial overlays to identify what they claim are masculine characteristics in photos and videos of famous women. They also analyze body language and posture for supposed "telltale signs" of being born male.
The Right Turns on Its Own: Erika Kirk and Sydney Sweeney Targeted
In a surprising development, the transvestigation tactic has recently been turned against women associated with conservative movements. Erika Kirk, wife of the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, and actress Sydney Sweeney, who has been labeled "MAGA Barbie" online with endorsement from former President Donald Trump, have both become subjects of these investigations.
The rumors about Erika Kirk resurfaced dramatically last week when right-wing influencer Candace Owens launched a video series titled "Bride of Charlie." In the series, Owens shared elementary school yearbook photos showing Kirk with short-cropped hair, though she stopped short of directly claiming Kirk was born male. Her followers, however, eagerly launched their own transvestigation.
Conspiracy account Project Constitution wrote on X: "Candace found Erika's actual yearbook photos from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade at this school, and in one of them, Erika is dressed as a boy. Full boy's outfit. Short hair. Posing like one of the guys." Another commenter pointed to what he called Kirk's "male hips," "male clavicles," and "male arms" as supposed evidence.
From MAGA Darling to Gender Scrutiny: Sydney Sweeney's Case
Sydney Sweeney's experience demonstrates how quickly online perceptions can shift. After starring in an American Eagle ad that some interpreted as containing eugenics dog whistles, she became a conservative darling. However, she soon faced gender scrutiny from the same demographic, with one viral tweet asking "Why is Sydney Sweeney's neck so much wider than her head? I'm starting to get really worried that she's actually a man" - a post that garnered over 5.6 million views.
Experts note that Sweeney's physical transformation for her role in "Christy," a biographical sports drama about boxer Christy Martin, may have inspired some of the insults. She gained 30 pounds and underwent intense physical training for the role, which some fans found off-putting.
The Broader Implications of Transvestigation Culture
"Nobody is safe from this kind of conspiratorial discourse, including those on the right who operate in so-called 'gender critical' spaces as thought leaders on how to be transphobic," explained Lexi Webster, an associate professor specializing in gender, queer and trans studies at the University of Southampton in England.
Jay Daniel Thompson, a senior lecturer at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology who researches conspiracy theories and digital hostility, told HuffPost: "Transvestigation is premised on stereotypes of trans women as freakish, deceptive and untrustworthy. These conspiracies target women in the public eye, seeking to demean those women and diminish their credibility. This suggests that transvestigations are not just transphobic; they're also deeply misogynistic."
Historical Roots and Modern Amplification
Transvestigators frequently draw on phrenology, a racist pseudoscience that explains why Black women like Michelle Obama and brown women such as Imane Khelif have been particular targets. The mainstreaming of transvestigating reflects the broader rise of conspiratorial thinking over the past decade, amplified by social media platforms where everyone can become a digital sleuth.
"Conspiratorialism is not new, but the fact that it's become so ubiquitous these last 10 years reflects a combination of social upheaval and an increasingly interactive internet where information travels faster and wider than before," Thompson said.
Political Calculations and Cynical Motivations
Candace Owens has personal experience with transvestigation controversies. In July, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron hit Owens with a defamation lawsuit over her false claims that Brigitte Macron was born male. Owens' YouTube series "Becoming Brigitte," which repeats this rumor, has received 5.1 million views.
"I suspect that for some folk, personal prejudices trump - no pun intended! - political affiliations and feelings of solidarity," Thompson noted. "It's for the pursuit of clicks and revenue."
The Harm to Trans Communities
Trans activist and content creator Samantha Lux explained the painful impact these theories have on actual trans women: "Transvestigations further the narrative that being transgender is, in itself, deceptive. It perpetuates the notion that underneath our transness, we're really men in disguise - and who uses disguises? People with ulterior motives. Being transgender is who we are, at the deepest level, our only motive is to live authentically."
At its core, transvestigation serves as a tool to strip credibility from women perceived as threatening to traditional gender roles. Some conservatives may view Erika Kirk's assumption of leadership at Turning Point USA as contradicting her late husband's advocacy for wives staying at home. As Lux observed, "The far right explicitly wants women to pursue submissive lifestyles. It doesn't matter how 'pro-far-right' a woman is; if she is in a position of power or success, she is not fulfilling the role they've prescribed her."
