A Paris court has found ten people guilty of cyber-harassment for spreading false and malicious claims about France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, marking a significant legal victory for the Macron family in their long-running fight against online abuse.
Brigitte Macron has taken legal action against cyberbullies who spread false claims about her gender and personal life. (Source: Euronews)
The defendants, eight men and two women aged between 41 and 65, were convicted for circulating false allegations that Brigitte Macron was born male and for posting degrading messages about her gender and sexuality. Several of the comments also linked the 24-year age gap between her and President Emmanuel Macron to criminal behaviour, claims the court described as particularly damaging.
One defendant received a six-month prison sentence, while the others were handed suspended jail terms of between four and eight months. All ten were ordered to attend cyber-harassment awareness training, and several were banned from using the social media platforms on which they posted the messages.
Court Condemns “Malicious and Repeated” Attacks
In its ruling, the court said the posts were not isolated or harmless jokes but formed part of a sustained campaign of harassment that had a cumulative and harmful impact. Judges rejected arguments from several defendants that their comments amounted to satire or humour.
A Paris court found ten individuals guilty of cyberbullying France’s first lady, highlighting the impact of online harassment. (Source: Urbansinder)
The court said the messages were “degrading, insulting and malicious”, and noted that some of the posts had been viewed tens of thousands of times, amplifying their impact and spreading false information widely.
The case centred on a long-running conspiracy theory that Brigitte Macron was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, the real name of her brother, and that she was therefore not who she claimed to be. The rumour has circulated online for years and has been repeatedly disproven.
Victory for the Macron Family
The ruling is seen as an important legal win for the French president and his wife, who have increasingly turned to the courts to confront falsehoods and online attacks.
For years, the couple largely ignored the rumours and abuse, but in recent times they have taken a more active stance. In addition to the French case, they are also pursuing a separate defamation lawsuit in the United States against conservative influencer Candace Owens, who has repeated similar claims.
The Macrons have increasingly taken legal steps to challenge false and defamatory online claims. (Source: Reuters)
The Paris verdict sends a strong message that online harassment and disinformation about private individuals, even those in public life, can carry serious legal consequences.
Sentences and Sanctions
The sentences handed down varied depending on the role each defendant played. One individual received a six-month prison term, which under French law may be served at home under strict conditions. Others were given suspended sentences, meaning they will avoid jail if they do not reoffend.
Several defendants were also fined, ordered to attend awareness courses about cyberbullying, and barred from accessing their social media accounts for six months on the platforms where the posts were made.
French courts did not formally release the names of the convicted individuals, though some chose to speak publicly after the ruling. One defendant, a gallery owner who received a suspended six-month sentence, said he would appeal, arguing the decision represented an erosion of free speech.
Brigitte Macron Speaks Out
Brigitte Macron did not attend the trial, but she addressed the issue in an interview with French broadcaster TF1 shortly before the verdict. She said she chose to pursue legal action not only for herself, but to show others that harassment should not be tolerated.
She described the online attacks as relentless and said they had even included attempts to interfere with her personal records. Despite clear documentation proving her identity, she said the rumours continued to circulate.
Brigitte Macron also said she hoped her actions would encourage young people to stand up to online bullying, stressing the importance of setting an example.
Wider Debate Over Online Speech
The case comes at a time of growing tension over how governments should regulate online speech and misinformation. European authorities have stepped up efforts to combat falsehoods and digital abuse, while critics in the United States have accused them of restricting free expression.
The Macron case has become a high-profile example of how courts are beginning to treat coordinated online harassment not as free speech, but as a form of harm that can carry criminal penalties.
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A Precedent for Cyberbullying Cases
Legal experts say the verdict could set an important precedent in France for future cases involving online abuse and disinformation. By imposing prison sentences, social media bans, and mandatory training, the court signalled that digital harassment can be just as serious as physical or in-person intimidation.
For Brigitte Macron and her family, the ruling brings a measure of accountability after years of personal attacks. For French authorities, it underscores an increasingly firm stance against cyberbullying in an age when false claims can spread globally in seconds.
FAQs
- What was Brigitte Macron accused of?
Brigitte Macron was not accused of any crime. The case involved ten people convicted for cyberbullying her by spreading false online claims that she was born male and targeting her with degrading rumours and comments about her gender, age, and personal life.
- How many people were convicted and why?
A Paris court found ten individuals, eight men and two women, guilty of cyberbullying France’s first lady for making and sharing malicious online claims about her gender and sexuality. The messages were judged to be “degrading, insulting and malicious.”
- What sentences did the convicted receive?
Sentences ranged from cyberbullying awareness training to suspended prison terms of up to eight months. One defendant received a six‑month prison sentence without suspension. Several were also banned from using the social media platforms where they posted the messages.
- Were the defendants fined?
Yes. As part of the punishment, the convicted individuals were ordered to pay compensation for moral damage to Brigitte Macron.
- What exactly were the false claims about Brigitte Macron?
The false claims alleged she was transgender and born male under her brother’s name. Some posts also falsely linked her 24‑year age difference with President Emmanuel Macron to criminal behaviour. The court described these claims as harmful and unfounded.
- Did Brigitte Macron attend the trial?
No, Brigitte Macron did not attend the October 2025 trial. She spoke publicly about the case on French television, saying she pursued legal action to set an example in the fight against cyberbullying.
- What was the court’s reasoning for convicting them?
The court said the repetitive and malicious nature of the online posts constituted a coordinated campaign of harassment. Judges rejected the defendants’ defence that their comments were satire or protected speech.
- Is this case connected to other legal actions?
Yes. The Macrons are also pursuing a defamation lawsuit in the United States against conservative commentator Candace Owens, who has repeated similar false claims about Brigitte Macron’s gender online.
- What impact did the cyberbullying have on the Macron family?
According to court testimony, the repeated harassment caused significant emotional stress to Brigitte Macron and affected her family’s daily life. Her daughter described a deterioration in her mother’s well-being due to the online abuse.
- What broader issues does this case highlight?
The ruling highlights debates over online hate speech, misinformation, and how legal systems should balance free expression with protections against harmful defamation and harassment.
