Ten individuals are on trial in Paris for the online harassment of Brigitte Macron, marking the latest development in a transatlantic legal effort to counter the baseless rumor that the French first lady is actually a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux.
This French case follows a defamation lawsuit filed by President Emmanuel Macron and his wife in the U.S. at the end of July, targeting the online spread of the false claim that Brigitte Macron was born male. Their U.S. suit describes the allegations, promoted by right-wing podcaster Candace Owens, as “verifiably false and devastating lies.” It asserts that evidence clearly refutes this “grotesque narrative,” which has subjected Brigitte Macron to a “campaign of global humiliation” and “relentless bullying on a worldwide scale.”
The Paris trial, separate from the U.S. action, stems from a complaint Brigitte Macron filed in 2024. The ten defendants—eight men and two women aged 41 to 60—are accused of harassing her online and could face up to two years in prison if convicted. Prosecutors say they posted numerous malicious comments about her gender and sexuality, even comparing the age difference with her husband to “paedophilia.” All defendants deny any wrongdoing.
The Macrons’ U.S. lawsuit clarifies that Jean-Michel Trogneux is actually Brigitte Macron’s 80-year-old brother, who lives in Amiens, where they grew up together in a family known for its chocolate business. He has publicly attended both of Emmanuel Macron’s presidential inaugurations in 2017 and 2022.
Brigitte Macron’s 2024 complaint in Paris led to an investigation and arrests in December 2024 and February 2025. Among the defendants is Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, 41, a publicist known online as “Zoé Sagan” and associated with conspiracy theory circles. Another defendant, Delphine J, 51, a self-proclaimed spiritual medium using the pseudonym Amandine Roy, was previously involved in a 2022 defamation case with Brigitte Macron. In 2021, she posted a lengthy interview on YouTube repeating the false claim. Although she and another woman were initially ordered to pay damages in 2024, their conviction was overturned on appeal, not because the claims were deemed true, but because the case didn’t meet the legal definition of defamation. Brigitte Macron and her brother have since appealed to France’s highest court.
The rumor about Brigitte Macron’s gender emerged around the time of Emmanuel Macron’s 2017 election and has been propagated by far-right and conspiracy groups in France and the U.S. The Macrons’ July lawsuit in the U.S. targets Owens for her series “Becoming Brigitte,” which promotes the false narrative. Their U.S. lawyer plans to present scientific evidence and photos to disprove the claims.
Several defendants in the Paris trial shared posts from the influencer, and the false theory gained traction partly because the Macrons’ relationship has long been a subject of online discussion. Brigitte Macron, who is 24 years older than her husband, first met him when she was his French teacher at a Jesuit school in Amiens, where she directed him in a school play.In a US lawsuit, the Macrons shared that their intellectual bond grew stronger through the school’s theater program. They emphasized that their teacher-student relationship always stayed within legal boundaries. Brigitte Macron, who has three children from her previous marriage, divorced in 2006 and wed Emmanuel Macron the next year when he was 30.
Since 2022, Brigitte Macron has not publicly addressed the false claims about her gender. Back then, she described the allegations on French radio RTL as an “impossible” assault on her family’s lineage. Speaking to TF1 TV, she expressed her desire to lead by example to prevent others from enduring similar pain, stating that combating online bullying is her personal mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the trial of ten individuals for cyberbullying Brigitte Macron designed to be clear concise and easy to understand
Basic General Questions
1 What is this trial in Paris about
This trial is about ten people who are accused of posting severe insults threats and harassment online targeting Frances First Lady Brigitte Macron
2 What exactly is cyberbullying in this context
In this legal case it refers to the act of repeatedly posting cruel offensive or threatening comments about someone on the internet causing them psychological harm Its not just one mean comment but a sustained campaign of online abuse
3 Who are the people on trial
They are ten private individuals not public figures or politicians They are accused of being part of online groups or acting individually to post the harassing content
4 What kind of things did they post
The posts included deeply insulting comments about her appearance false rumors about her personal life and sometimes violent threats
5 Why is this a big deal Isnt it just online comments
Its a big deal for two main reasons 1 No one not even a public figure should be subjected to relentless harassment and threats 2 In France as in many countries cyberbullying is a serious crime with real legal consequences especially when it targets someone because of their public duties
Legal Procedural Questions
6 What specific laws are they being charged under
They are primarily charged with cyberbullying which is a specific offense under French law This can be combined with charges related to making death threats and public insults based on a persons role or identity
7 What are the potential punishments if they are found guilty
If convicted they could face up to three years in prison and fines of up to 45000 The actual sentence will depend on the severity of their individual actions and their past records
8 Why is this trial happening now What took so long
Online harassment investigations take time Authorities must identify the real people behind anonymous social media accounts collect evidence and build a case that meets legal standards before proceeding to trial
9 Is Brigitte Macron personally testifying in court
While she is the
