Ten individuals are currently on trial in Paris, facing accusations of cyberbullying Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. These individuals allegedly disseminated “malicious” comments online, including claims that Brigitte Macron is a man. The trial, which commenced on Monday, has drawn attention due to the serious nature of the allegations and the high-profile status of those involved.
The Paris prosecutor’s office has charged the defendants—eight men and two women—with spreading numerous harmful comments regarding the first lady’s gender and sexuality. They also allegedly referred to the age difference between Brigitte Macron and her husband, framing it as “pedophilia.” During the opening day of the trial, seven of the accused appeared in court, while three were represented by their legal counsel.
Among those accused is Delphine Jegousse, 51, who uses the pseudonym Amandine Roy and has gained notoriety as a medium and author. Jegousse is identified as a key figure in the spread of these rumors, notably through a four-hour video she published on her YouTube channel in 2021. Another defendant, Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, 41, known as Zoé Sagan on social media, had his X account suspended last year due to his involvement in various judicial investigations. The group also includes a teacher and an elected official, highlighting the diverse backgrounds of those implicated.
The chief judge overseeing the case stated that the accused face serious allegations of cyberbullying, which have reportedly led to a notable decline in Brigitte Macron’s physical and mental health. The Macrons have long been subjects of conspiracy theories, with some claiming that Brigitte was born a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux, who later transitioned. This name is also that of Brigitte’s brother.
The trial follows the Macrons’ decision to file a defamation suit in July against Candace Owens, a conservative influencer based in the United States. The Macrons’ attorney indicated that they would be pursuing substantial damages if Owens continues to propagate claims that Brigitte is male. Owens is known for her controversial views and has a significant following, with approximately 4.5 million subscribers on her YouTube channel.
Following the trial, a verdict is expected to be delivered at a later date. In September 2024, Brigitte Macron and Jean-Michel Trogneux successfully won a defamation case against Jegousse and another individual, who were ordered by a Paris court to pay fines and damages for spreading false claims about the first lady. However, this ruling was overturned by a Paris appeals court in July, prompting the Macrons to escalate their appeal to France’s highest court.
Brigitte Macron, who is 24 years older than her husband, first met Emmanuel Macron while she was a teacher at his high school. At the time, she was known as Brigitte Auzière and was a married mother of three. Emmanuel Macron, now 47, has served as France’s president since 2017. The couple’s relationship has often attracted media scrutiny, particularly due to their age difference and the circumstances surrounding their meeting.
