Crime & justice

France: 10 Convicted for Cyberbullying Brigitte Macron

Did the Paris court finally deliver justice against online harassment, or criminalize good-faith free speech to shield elites?

Published JAN 5

France: 10 Convicted for Cyberbullying Brigitte Macron

Story

Above: Brigitte Macron waits to greet Brazil's First Lady at Elysee Palace in Paris on March 27, 2025. Image credit: Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images

The Facts

A Paris court on Monday found 10 people guilty of cyberbullying French First Lady Brigitte Macron by purportedly spreading false claims about her gender and sexuality. Eight defendants received suspended sentences ranging from four to eight months, while one man was sentenced to six months in prison for not attending court.
France 24
BBC News
RTL Today
The defendants — eight men and two women aged 41 to 65 — posted comments claiming Brigitte Macron was born male and insinuated through "malicious remarks" that the 24-year age gap between her and President Emmanuel Macron constituted pedophilia.
Connexionfrance
Los Angeles Times
Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auziere, testified during the trial in October that the harassment caused "deterioration" in her mother's life and affected the entire family, including grandchildren who were taunted at school. All 10 defendants were ordered to attend cyberbullying awareness training, while five were banned from using the social media platform X for six months.
BBC News
9News Australia
Santino on X
Defendant Delphine Jegousse, known as Amandine Roy, had released a video in 2021 that claimed to "prove" Brigitte Macron was allegedly born male under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, which is the name of her brother.
Connexionfrance
Odysee
On July 10, a Paris appeals court overturned a prior conviction against Roy and co-defendant Natacha Ray for defaming Brigitte Macron, finding that their actions did not constitute defamation but fell under "good faith" free speech. Macron has since appealed the decision to France’s Court of Cassation.
Francesoir
Daily Mail
The Times of India
Brigitte Macron told French television she launched legal proceedings to "set an example" in fighting harassment. The Macrons, who have been married since 2007, also filed a defamation lawsuit in the U.S. against conservative influencer Candace Owens for similar claims about Brigitte's gender and identity.
NTD News on X
ITV
GB News

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Ten cyberbullies rightfully faced justice for spreading degrading lies about Brigitte Macron — causing severe harm to her health and forcing her grandchildren to endure cruel taunts at school. These defendants hid behind false claims of satire while amplifying vicious conspiracy theories across social media. The convictions send a clear message that online harassment masquerading as free speech has real consequences.

Vanity Fair

The Pinknews

Le Monde

Narrative B

Ten ordinary citizens were convicted for discussing Brigitte Macron’s identity — which she has never fully proved — illustrating how French authorities criminalize dissent to shield elites. Much of the speech was vague, speculative or repeated from others, yet prosecutors treated it as a serious offense. The case turns free debate into a weapon against ordinary voices, punishing good-faith curiosity and opinion while protecting the powerful.

Xavier Poussard on X