A Paris court convicted 10 people of cyberbullying First Lady Brigitte Macron for spreading false claims about her gender and sexuality, including the baseless allegation she was born a man. Sentences included immediate prison terms for some defendants, suspended sentences for others, mandatory cyberbullying awareness training for all, and temporary social-media suspensions. Family testimony described the significant harm caused by repeated online attacks. The ruling comes amid long-running conspiracy theories and other related legal actions.
Paris Court Convicts 10 Over Cyberbullying of First Lady Brigitte Macron
FILE - French President's wife Brigitte Macron arrives ahead of the ceremony outside "La Belle Equipe" bar, Thursday Nov. 13, 2025 in Paris as part of ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of terrorist attacks. (Ludovic Marin, Pool photo via AP, File)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A Paris court on Monday found 10 people guilty of cyberbullying France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, after defendants circulated false and degrading online claims about her gender and sexuality — including the baseless allegation that she was born a man.
Defendant Delphine Jegousse known as Amandine Roy, arrives at the courtroom for the verdict in a case involving 10 people accused of cyberbullying French first lady Brigitte Macron by spreading false online claims about her gender and sexuality, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The court ordered all 10 to complete cyberbullying awareness training. Several defendants received suspended sentences ranging from two to eight months, while some were handed immediate prison terms to be served under conditions set by a judge. Several accounts that hosted the attacks will be suspended for six months on the platforms where the posts appeared.
Defendant Bertrand Scholler waits before the verdict in a case involving 10 people accused of cyberbullying French first lady Brigitte Macron by spreading false online claims about her gender and sexuality, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Judge: “Particularly degrading, insulting, and malicious” comments that repeated false claims about an alleged trans identity and allegations of pedophilia had “cumulative harmful effects.”
The accused — eight men and two women, aged 41 to 65 — were said to have posted numerous messages that falsely claimed President Emmanuel Macron’s wife had been born a man and equated the couple’s 24-year age difference with pedophilia. Some posts were viewed tens of thousands of times, amplifying the harm to Brigitte Macron and her family.
Defendant Delphine Jegousse known as Amandine Roy, answers reporters after a Paris court has found 10 people guilty of cyberbullying France's first lady, Brigitte Macron by spreading false online claims about her gender and sexuality, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Brigitte Macron did not attend the two-day trial in October. Speaking on TF1 national television, she said she launched legal proceedings to “set an example” in the fight against harassment. Her lawyer, Jean Ennochi, highlighted the immediate effect of the ruling: mandatory awareness training for all convicted and social-media restrictions for some.
Defendant Bertrand Scholler answers reporters after a Paris court has found 10 people guilty of cyberbullying France's first lady, Brigitte Macron by spreading false online claims about her gender and sexuality, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Family members described the personal toll of the harassment. Tiphaine Auzière, the first lady’s daughter, testified about the “deterioration” of her mother’s life and said the attacks affected the wider family, including grandchildren. Several defendants told the court they had intended their posts as humor or satire and expressed surprise at being prosecuted.
The court singled out a few individuals who played prominent roles in spreading the false narrative. Delphine Jegousse, who uses the name Amandine Roy and published a lengthy YouTube video in 2021, received a prison term. Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, known online as Zoé Sagan, had his X account suspended and received an eight-month sentence. Other convicted defendants include a gallery owner and a property asset manager; a teacher who apologized avoided a custodial sentence but must attend training.
The decision follows years of conspiracy theories falsely claiming Brigitte Macron was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux — the name of her brother — and comes amid broader legal action by the Macrons, including a defamation suit filed in the United States against conservative influencer Candace Owens. The Macrons have been married since 2007; they first met when Emmanuel Macron was a student and Brigitte, then Brigitte Auzière, was a teacher.
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