Paris (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A Paris court ruled 10 guilty of online harassment against Brigitte Macron, over false claims about her gender, receiving suspended sentences.
As reported by James C. Reynolds of The Independent, ten people were convicted in Paris for cyberbullying Brigitte Macron over false claims she was born a man.
How did false claims about Brigitte Macron spark a Paris court case?
The eight men and two women, aged between 41 and 60, had been accused of making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron’s gender and sexuality, including equating her age difference with her husband to “paedophilia.”
The judge called the statements against the first lady
“particularly degrading, insulting, and malicious,”
imposing punishments ranging from cyberbullying training to eight-month suspended prison terms.
In 2024, Natacha Rey, an independent journalist, and Amandine Roy, an online fortune-teller, were convicted of slandering Ms. Macron for falsely claiming she did not exist.
The Paris court heard that Jean-Michel Trogneux had changed gender and adopted Ms Macron’s name. On appeal, the defendants were cleared, with the court ruling that the claim did not constitute an attack on her honour.
Jean Ennochi, lawyer for France’s first lady, told AFP that the key outcomes were cyberbullying prevention courses and some accounts being suspended.
Tiphaine Auzière, Ms Macron’s daughter from a previous marriage, told the court that cyberbullying had harmed her mother’s health.
She added that her mother
“has had to be careful about her choices of outfits, of posture… she knows perfectly well that her image will be used to back these theories.”
The first lady did not appear at her two-day trial in October, but stated that the lawsuit was intended to send a clear message in the fight against harassment.
Among the defendants were an elected official, a teacher, and a computer scientist. Several said in court that their comments were intended as jokes and expressed confusion over the charges.
During the trial, 49-year-old defendant Jerome A was questioned about posts he wrote or shared claiming Ms Macron was a man. He told the court the content was “just a joke” and intended as satire.
The 10 accused were arrested in December 2024 and February 2025, and each denied the allegations against them.
False allegations about Ms Macron’s gender have gained traction in the US, where far-right podcaster Candace Owens has repeatedly promoted the claim that France’s first lady was born a man.
The first couple of France has launched a defamation case in the United States targeting far-right podcaster Owens.
What are France’s cyber laws on online harassment?
Under French law, cyber harassment is defined as repeated malicious acts using electronic communication that harm a victim’s dignity, well-being, or create an intimidating environment. Offenders can face up to three years in prison and fines of up to €45,000.
Those affected by cyber harassment, or witnesses, can use France’s free, 24/7 PHAROS police platform to report incidents or start an investigation. They may also file a complaint against the perpetrator or the website.
In France, victims have the right to demand that platforms remove illegal content and request that it be dereferenced from search results. If platforms do not comply within a month, the CNIL can intervene.