Spain’s first lady sues right-wing channel for claiming she's 'transgender working for Moroccan drug gangs'

Spain’s First Lady, Begoña Gómez, has taken legal action against a Spanish TV talk show host, Pilar Baselga, for making false accusations about her, in which the host claims that Gómez is transsexual involved in a drug trafficking ring in Morocco.

The claims were made on Distrito TV’s program ‘Los Intocables’ in November 2022, by Baselga, a well-known figure on the right-wing channel.

Baselga could face charges of insults and slander. Gómez’s legal team has also filed a complaint against the program’s director and presenter, Eurico Campano, and the program itself.

Distrito TV has a history of reporting stories based on hoaxes and conspiracies, and this latest one has caused a stir on Spain’s conspiracy-laden right-wing social media networks.

Baselga used the masculine ending of Gómez’s name, ‘Begoño,’ to make accusations about her family’s involvement in gay saunas.

Baselga then made startling claims about Gómez’s supposed role in a Moroccan drug smuggling gang, stating that “the Moroccan secret service has evidence that Begoña Gómez is involved.”

Baselga also implied that Gómez’s position at the prestigious Universidad Complutense de Madrid was given to her by her husband, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Campano described Baselga’s statements as “absolutely regrettable,” and Distrito TV requested that she make a video to clarify her remarks. Baselga later issued a statement saying that it was a mistake on her part to interpret information that was being spread on various Spanish social media networks.

Gómez’s legal team is requesting a conciliatory meeting with Baselga and Campano and demanding a public  apology. They are also claiming compensation of €100,000.