Paris, Jan. 5, 2026 — A Paris criminal court on Monday found ten individuals guilty of cyberbullying France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron, in a case that highlights the growing legal response to online harassment and misinformation. The Independent
False Rumours and Online Harassment
The defendants — eight men and two women aged between 41 and 65 — were convicted for spreading false and degrading online claims that Brigitte Macron was born male. Prosecutors said many posts also maliciously linked her 24-year age gap with President Emmanuel Macron to allegations of paedophilia, further amplifying online abuse. ITVX
These claims have circulated on social media for years, rooted in conspiracy theories that wrongly asserted the First Lady was originally named Jean-Michel Trogneux, the name of her brother. The Independent
Sentences and Penalties
The court handed down a range of sentences, reflecting the seriousness of the misconduct under French law: Business Standard
- 🧑⚖️ One defendant received a six-month prison term without suspension.
- 📆 Several others received suspended prison sentences ranging up to eight months.
- 🎓 All ten must attend cyberbullying awareness training.
- 📱 Some defendants were banned from using certain social media platforms for a period of time.
- 💶 The group was ordered to pay €10,000 in compensation to Brigitte Macron for moral damages. Business Standard
Among those convicted was Delphine Jegousse, a self-described medium who had posted long videos spreading the false allegations, and a social media account holder whose activity had previously led to suspensions. ITVX
Victim Impact and Legal Context
Brigitte Macron did not attend the October trial but publicly stated her legal action aimed to set an example against online harassment. Her daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified about the deterioration of her mother’s daily life as a result of the sustained campaign of abuse and misinformation. ITVX
Judges described the online comments as “particularly degrading, insulting, and malicious,” emphasizing that repeated defamatory posts can have serious cumulative harm even when published from a distance. www.ndtv.com
Part of Broader Legal Fight
This conviction comes amid continued efforts by the Macrons to combat similar defamatory content internationally. The couple has pursued a defamation lawsuit in the United States against conservative commentator Candace Owens, who also promoted the unfounded claims online, though that case is separate and ongoing. The Independent