10 Convicted for Cyberbullying Brigitte Macron Over False Transgender Rumors

French courts have handed down suspended prison sentences to ten individuals found guilty of online harassment targeting Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. The defendants, eight men and two women aged between 41 and 60, faced charges related to spreading malicious and unfounded rumors questioning Brigitte Macron’s gender identity.

Most defendants received six-month suspended prison terms, with one man sentenced to actual jail time due to his absence from the court proceedings. In addition to the suspended sentences, all convicted individuals must complete an online course focused on respect for others. Some defendants are also temporarily prohibited from using the social media platforms they employed to spread the offensive content.

The court ordered a collective fine of €10,000 (approximately $11,700) and imposed restrictions on social media use for those involved in propagating the false claims. Among the convicted was a prominent French conspiracy theorist and a woman who describes herself as a medium and advertising specialist, whose account on X (formerly Twitter) has since been suspended. Authorities identified her as playing a central role in disseminating the unfounded allegations.

The presiding judge characterized the online campaign against the First Lady as a “wave of hatred” that has persisted for years, causing significant harm to her health and wellbeing. The judge noted that Brigitte Macron has been particularly affected by these rumors knowing that world leaders she meets during official travel may have been exposed to these false narratives.

The judge emphasized that the defendants’ claims of merely sharing “satirical posts” were irrelevant to their criminal liability. What mattered legally was the demonstrable harm experienced by Mrs. Macron as a result of the targeted online bullying.

In court testimony, Tiphaine Auzière, Brigitte Macron’s daughter, revealed that the false allegations had spread globally and significantly impacted her mother’s health, leaving her “constantly on guard” as her identity was repeatedly questioned in public forums. The court also heard that the rumors had affected Mrs. Macron’s grandchildren, who had been exposed to claims that their grandmother was born male.

The conspiracy theory at the heart of the case emerged shortly after Emmanuel Macron’s election to the presidency in 2017. It falsely asserts that Brigitte Macron is a transgender woman who was assigned male at birth. Some posts went further, including allegations of pedophilia, apparently referencing the 24-year age gap between the First Lady and her husband. The Macrons have consistently and firmly denied these claims, which have no factual basis.

This French court case represents part of a broader legal response by the Macron family to combat disinformation. The presidential couple has also initiated a separate defamation lawsuit in Delaware against American right-wing influencer Candace Owens for promoting similar false assertions about Brigitte Macron’s gender identity.

The case highlights the growing legal consequences for spreading harmful misinformation online, even for individuals who attempt to shield themselves behind claims of satire or free expression. It also underscores the real-world impact that online conspiracy theories and harassment campaigns can have on their targets, regardless of their public profile or position.

French authorities have increasingly prioritized combating online harassment in recent years, with this high-profile case sending a clear message about the potential legal repercussions for those engaging in digital defamation and harassment.