Ten individuals have gone on trial in Paris, accused of orchestrating an online harassment campaign targeting France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron with false claims about her gender identity. The case represents one of France’s most high-profile legal battles against cyber-harassment and misinformation.

The defendants — eight men and two women aged between 41 and 60 — face charges of cyber-harassment and defamation after spreading unsubstantiated allegations that Brigitte Macron, 72, is a transgender woman who was “born a man” named Jean-Michel Trogneux. The rumours, which circulated widely across social media platforms in 2021, also linked her 24-year age difference with President Emmanuel Macron to “paedophilia”.

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Judge Condemns the ‘Deterioration’ of the First Lady’s Health

At the opening of the two-day trial, the presiding judge stated that the defendants’ actions caused a serious deterioration in Brigitte Macron’s physical and mental health. Although neither President Macron nor the First Lady attended the proceedings, their legal representatives were present in court.

The accusations first gained traction when Delphine Jegousse, 51, known online as Amandine Roy, published a four-hour YouTube video in 2021 repeating conspiracy claims about Brigitte Macron’s gender. The video received hundreds of thousands of views, fueling online harassment and prompting further speculation from far-right and anti-transgender circles both in France and the United States.

Another key defendant, Aurelien Poirson-Atlan (41) — known by his social media alias Zoe Sagan — is also facing charges. Poirson-Atlan’s accounts were suspended in 2024 after repeated violations related to disinformation.

Among the others on trial are a local elected official, a teacher, and a computer engineer, reflecting how conspiracy-driven narratives can mobilize individuals from diverse professional backgrounds.

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Legal and Social Fallout of the Case

The Macrons first filed a defamation lawsuit in France, which led to mixed rulings over the past two years. In 2023, Brigitte and her brother Jean-Michel Trogneux won a defamation suit against Jegousse and another woman, securing damages and fines. However, a Paris appeals court overturned the decision in July 2025, prompting the family to take the case to France’s highest court (Cour de Cassation).

In addition to the French proceedings, the Macrons filed a separate defamation lawsuit in the United States in July 2025. Their US-based lawyer has warned conservative influencer Candace Owens — whose YouTube channel has over 4.5 million subscribers — that the couple will seek “substantial damages” if she continues repeating the false claims.

“The campaign of defamation and harassment has had devastating personal consequences,” the Macrons’ legal team said. “This trial is not only about Brigitte Macron, but about setting boundaries for digital abuse.”

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Conspiracy Theories and the Culture War Connection

The false claims about Brigitte Macron originated from far-right and conspiracy theory communities online and have since been amplified by anti-transgender activists. Analysts say the case underscores how misinformation can cross borders, merging with broader culture war narratives in both Europe and the US.

French prosecutors argue that the defendants knowingly participated in a coordinated online campaign designed to “dehumanize and humiliate” the First Lady.

The trial, which began on October 27, 2025, is expected to conclude within two days, though a verdict will be issued at a later date.