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French First Lady Faces Court in Cyber-Harassment Case Amid Gender Misinformation
A Paris criminal court trial opened Monday involving ten defendants charged with cyber-harassment targeting French First Lady Brigitte Macron. The case centers on a persistent online campaign spreading unsubstantiated claims about her gender identity.
The defendants—eight men and two women, aged between 41 and 60—face potential prison sentences of up to two years if convicted. They are accused of making numerous malicious comments about Brigitte Macron’s gender and sexuality, with some even characterizing her 24-year age gap with President Emmanuel Macron as “pedophilia,” according to prosecutors.
This trial follows a complaint filed by Brigitte Macron in August 2024, which prompted an investigation leading to arrests in December 2024 and February 2025. The First Lady was not present as proceedings began.
Among the defendants is 41-year-old publicist Aurelien Poirson-Atlan, known on social media as “Zoe Sagan,” who has connections to conspiracy theory circles. Also facing charges is Delphine J., a 51-year-old self-proclaimed spiritual medium using the pseudonym Amandine Roy, who was previously the subject of a libel complaint filed by Macron in 2022.
In 2021, Delphine J. posted a four-hour YouTube interview with self-described independent journalist Natacha Rey, alleging that Brigitte Macron, whose maiden name is Trogneux, was previously a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux—actually the name of her brother. Though ordered to pay damages to Macron and her brother in 2024, the conviction was later overturned on appeal, prompting the First Lady to take the case to France’s highest appeals court.
The unfounded rumors first emerged following Emmanuel Macron’s election in 2017 and have since been amplified by far-right and conspiracy theorist groups both in France and internationally, particularly in the United States, where transgender rights have become a divisive political issue.
The harassment has expanded beyond France’s borders. In July, the presidential couple filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States against conservative podcaster Candace Owens, who produced a series titled “Becoming Brigitte” that repeated the transgender claims. According to their U.S. attorney, the Macrons plan to present “scientific” evidence and photographs to disprove these allegations.
Court documents revealed that one defendant shared posts claiming “2,000 people” were ready to go “door-to-door in Amiens,” the presidential couple’s hometown, to “get to the bottom of the Brigitte affair,” highlighting the potentially threatening nature of the harassment.
This case reflects a broader pattern of gender-based misinformation targeting prominent women in politics. Similar unfounded claims have been directed at other high-profile figures, including former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
The trial represents a significant effort by French authorities to confront online harassment and misinformation campaigns that often hide behind digital anonymity to target public figures. It comes amid growing concerns about the real-world consequences of online conspiracy theories and their impact on public discourse.
As the proceedings continue, the case is likely to spark renewed discussions about the intersection of free speech, online harassment, and the protection of individuals from harmful misinformation in the digital age.
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5 Comments
While I understand the desire to scrutinize public figures, spreading unsubstantiated claims about someone’s gender or sexuality crosses a line. This trial serves as an important reminder of the need to be responsible and ethical in our online discourse, even about those in positions of power.
An interesting case that highlights the complexities around gender, identity, and privacy. I’ll be following the trial closely to see how the courts navigate these sensitive issues. It’s crucial that public figures are protected from cyber-harassment, while also preserving freedom of speech.
This case highlights the need to combat the spread of harmful misinformation online. Targeting public figures with unfounded claims about their gender identity is unacceptable and can have serious consequences. I hope the trial leads to accountability for those responsible.
This trial underscores the ongoing challenges in regulating harmful online content. While I support freedom of expression, targeting individuals with false claims about their gender identity is unacceptable. I hope the verdict sends a strong message and leads to meaningful reforms.
It’s concerning to see how conspiracy theories and online harassment can coalesce around public figures. I’m curious to learn more about the specific tactics and networks involved in this case. Transparency and fact-checking will be crucial to counter this type of disinformation.