Ten Face Trial for Cyberbullying French First Lady Brigitte Macron

Ten individuals are set to stand trial in Paris on charges of cyberbullying Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. The accused are alleged to have disseminated “malicious” comments online, promoting false claims that the first lady is male. This trial marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle against online harassment faced by public figures.

The Paris prosecutor’s office has revealed that the group consists of eight men and two women, ranging in age from 41 to 60. They are accused of posting numerous harmful remarks regarding Brigitte Macron’s gender and sexuality, including derogatory references to the age difference between her and her husband, which they have termed “paedophilia.” Some of these posts have garnered tens of thousands of views on social media platforms.

Background of the Allegations

Among those charged is a woman who identified herself as a medium, as well as an advertising executive whose account has since been suspended. Other defendants include an elected official, a teacher, and a computer scientist. Their actions are part of a troubling trend of conspiracy theories surrounding the Macrons, particularly the long-standing rumor that Brigitte was born male and originally named Jean-Michel Trogneux. This claim has persisted despite its baseless nature and is linked to the fact that Jean-Michel Trogneux is Brigitte’s brother.

The trial will unfold over two days and follows a defamation lawsuit filed by the Macrons in July against Candace Owens, a U.S. conservative influencer. The Macrons’ lawyer indicated that they would seek “substantial” damages if Owens continues to promote the assertion that Brigitte is a man. Owens is notable for her substantial following, with approximately 4.5 million subscribers on her YouTube channel, but she has also faced controversy, including a visa denial from New Zealand and Australia in 2024 due to her remarks regarding historical medical experimentation.

Previous Legal Actions

A verdict in this Paris case is expected at a later date. This trial is not the first legal action taken by the Macrons regarding this issue. In September 2024, Brigitte and her brother successfully won a defamation suit against two women who had spread similar claims online. However, a Paris appeals court overturned that ruling in July, prompting them to appeal to France’s highest court.

The Macrons’ relationship has drawn public interest since they first met when Emmanuel was a student at the high school where Brigitte was a teacher. Married since 2007, the couple has publicly navigated the complexities of their 24-year age difference. Emmanuel Macron, currently 47 years old, has served as France’s president since 2017.

This trial represents a crucial step in addressing the serious issue of cyberbullying and the impact of misinformation on public figures. The outcome could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly as online harassment continues to be a pervasive problem in today’s digital age.