Ten Found Guilty in Cyberbullying Case Targeting Brigitte Macron

Overview of the Court Ruling

A Paris court delivered a verdict on January 5, 2026, finding ten individuals guilty of cyberbullying Brigitte Macron, France’s first lady. The defendants were charged with disseminating false information online regarding her gender and sexuality, including allegations that she was born a man. Sentences ranged from cyberbullying awareness training to eight-month suspended prison terms.

Details of the Allegations

The defendants, eight men and two women aged between 41 and 65, were accused of posting numerous derogatory comments that falsely claimed President Emmanuel Macron’s wife was born a man. They also made sinister connections between the couple’s 24-year age difference and pedophilia. Some of these posts garnered tens of thousands of views.

Brigitte Macron chose not to attend the two-day trial held in October. In a recent interview with TF1 national television, she explained that the legal actions were intended to “set an example” in the battle against online harassment.

Impact on the Macron Family

During the trial, her daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, described the “deterioration” in her mother’s life due to the intensifying online harassment. Auzière noted, “She cannot ignore the horrible things said about her,” emphasizing the negative effects on the entire family, including Macron’s grandchildren.

Key Defendants

Among those convicted, Delphine Jegousse, 51-who operates under the pseudonym Amandine Roy and identifies as a medium-was identified as a major contributor to the spread of these allegations, having posted a four-hour video on her YouTube channel in 2021. Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, 41, known as Zoé Sagan on social media, had his account suspended in 2024 due to his involvement in multiple judicial investigations. Other defendants included an elected official, a teacher, and a computer scientist, with several claiming their comments were meant to be humorous and expressing confusion regarding their prosecution.

Background on the Conspiracy Theories

The case is part of a larger context of conspiracy theories that have circulated for years, falsely alleging that Brigitte Macron was born as Jean-Michel Trogneux, a name that actually belongs to her brother. In addition to this case in France, the Macron family has also filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States against conservative influencer Candace Owens.

Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron’s Relationship

Brigitte Macron, who is 24 years older than her husband, Emmanuel Macron, first met him when he was a student at her high school where she was teaching. The couple has been married since 2007, and Emmanuel Macron has served as France’s president since 2017.

This legal outcome underscores the ongoing fight against cyberbullying and harassment, particularly as it pertains to public figures and their families.