A Paris court has convicted ten individuals for cyberbullying Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, by disseminating false information about her gender and sexuality. The court’s ruling on October 30, 2023, included sentences ranging from participation in cyberbullying awareness training to eight-month suspended prison terms. The defendants, aged between 41 and 65, faced charges for posting derogatory comments that falsely suggested Mrs. Macron was born a man and linked the 24-year age difference between her and her husband, President Emmanuel Macron, to pedophilia.
The court described the comments as “particularly degrading, insulting, and malicious,” emphasizing the severity of the false claims regarding alleged trans identity and criminality targeting Brigitte Macron. During the trial, it was revealed that some of these posts had garnered tens of thousands of views online.
Brigitte Macron did not attend the trial, but she previously stated in an interview with TF1 national television that she initiated legal proceedings to “set an example” in combating harassment. Her daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified about the adverse effects of the online harassment on her mother’s life, stating that it has “deteriorated” significantly. Auzière explained, “She cannot ignore the horrible things said about her,” highlighting the distress experienced by the entire family, including Macron’s grandchildren.
Among the defendants, Delphine Jegousse, 51, also known as Amandine Roy, is noted for her significant role in propagating the rumors. She released a four-hour video on her YouTube channel in 2021 that fueled these false claims. Another defendant, Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, 41, known as Zoé Sagan on social media, had his account suspended in 2024 after his name was mentioned in multiple judicial investigations. Other individuals implicated included an elected official, a teacher, and a computer scientist.
Some defendants argued in court that their comments were intended to be humorous or satirical, expressing confusion over the prosecution. This case reflects years of conspiracy theories falsely asserting that Brigitte Macron was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, which is actually her brother’s name.
In addition to this case, the Macrons have pursued a defamation lawsuit in the United States against conservative influencer Candace Owens. The couple has been married since 2007, having first met at a high school where Emmanuel Macron was a student, and Brigitte Macron was a teacher. At that time, she was known as Brigitte Auzière, a mother of three. Emmanuel Macron, now 48, has served as France’s president since 2017.
The convictions serve as a significant reminder of the legal consequences of online harassment and the need for accountability in digital spaces.
