Court Convicts 10 People for Defaming France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron

A Paris criminal court has delivered a significant ruling in a case involving defamatory claims about France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron. On January 5, the court convicted 10 individuals for spreading false information via online posts and videos, asserting that Macron was born male. The court classified this behavior as cyberbullying under French law.

Cyberbullying Charges and Sentences

The court’s judgment highlighted that the defendants had shared and promoted false claims about Brigitte Macron’s identity across various social media platforms between 2021 and 2024. Penalties included mandatory cyberbullying awareness courses, suspended sentences, and custodial sentences of up to eight months. Notably, one defendant received a six-month jail term which may be served under alternative detention arrangements.

The judge noted that the content was not only repetitive but also coordinated and widely disseminated, meeting the legal definition of cyberbullying due to its cumulative nature rather than the impact of any single post.

Background of the False Claims

The origin of these defamatory claims can be traced back to a four-hour YouTube video released in December 2021, featuring Delphine Jégousse, known as Amandine Roy, and journalist Natacha Rey. This video falsely stated that Brigitte Macron was born as “Jean-Michel Trogneux,” also the name of her brother.

The video relied on dubious interpretations of photographs and Macron’s physical appearance as alleged evidence. These unfounded claims gained traction during a politically charged period leading up to France’s 2022 presidential elections and continued to circulate through further reposts and commentary.

Legal Actions Taken by Brigitte Macron

In response to the unsubstantiated claims, Brigitte Macron initiated several legal actions. In September 2024, a civil court awarded damages to some of the individuals involved. However, some parts of this ruling were later overturned on appeal due to procedural issues concerning good-faith arguments.

Additionally, prosecutors pursued criminal charges related to cyberbullying, culminating in the January 2026 convictions. It’s important to note that the criminal case was rooted in harassment laws and did not focus on the truthfulness of political opinions.

The Broader Context of the Allegations

The conspiracy theory surrounding Brigitte Macron is part of a wider online narrative that alleges public figures have concealed their gender identities. This unproven theory posits that Macron transitioned from another identity, an assertion lacking any supporting evidence from official records.

This ruling serves as a potent reminder of the legal boundaries surrounding online discourse and the consequences of spreading misinformation.

Through this case, the French legal system has made a clear statement regarding the importance of truth and the harmful effects of cyberbullying.