At a Glance
- 10 people found guilty of cyberbullying Brigitte Macron.
- Sentences range from cyberbullying training to 8-month suspended prison terms.
- Verdict follows years of false trans-identity rumors.
- Why it matters: The ruling sets a legal precedent against online harassment of public figures.
Paris prosecutors delivered a landmark verdict against ten people who spread false claims about France’s first lady Brigitte Macron. The court sentenced them to a mix of awareness training and suspended prison terms, underscoring the seriousness of online harassment. The case follows a long-standing conspiracy theory that Brigitte Macron was born a man.
Court Convicts Ten Individuals
The Paris court found all defendants guilty of cyberbullying, describing the remarks as “particularly degrading, insulting, and malicious.” Sentences ranged from mandatory cyberbullying awareness training to an 8-month suspended prison term.
Defendants included eight men and two women aged 41 to 65, who posted comments claiming Brigitte Macron was born a man and linked her 24-year age gap to pedophilia. Some posts were viewed tens of thousands of times.
Impact on the Macron Family
Brigitte Macron did not attend the October trial, saying she launched the case to set an example in the fight against harassment. Her daughter Tiphaine Auzière testified that the online attacks had deteriorated her mother’s life and affected the entire family, including grandchildren.
Tiphaine Auzière
> “She cannot ignore the horrible things said about her.”
Key Sentences and Notable Defendants
Delphine Jegousse, 51, known as Amandine Roy, received a 6-month prison sentence for her role in spreading the rumor after a four-hour YouTube video in 2021.
Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, 41, known as Zoé Sagan, was given an 8-month suspended sentence after his X account was suspended in 2024.
| Defendant | Role | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Delphine Jegousse (Amandine Roy) | Medium & author | 6-month prison |
| Aurélien Poirson-Atlan (Zoé Sagan) | Social-media figure | 8-month suspended |
Other defendants included an elected official, a teacher, and a computer scientist, some claiming their remarks were humor or satire and expressing confusion over the prosecution.
Background and Ongoing Legal Actions
The verdict follows years of conspiracy theories that Brigitte Macron was born as Jean-Michel Trogneux, the name of her brother.
The Macrons have also filed a defamation suit in the United States against influencer Candace Owens.
President Emmanuel Macron, 48, has led France since 2017.
Key Takeaways
- The court’s decision underscores the legal seriousness of cyberbullying.
- High-profile figures can seek justice against false online claims.
- The verdict may influence future European cases on defamation.
The ruling signals a growing intolerance for false online attacks against public figures and may influence future cases across Europe.
