Multiple Convictions for Online Defamation and Harassment Against Brigitte Macron
The Paris Criminal Court has issued rulings against ten individuals found guilty of sharing or posting defamatory and offensive online content targeting Brigitte Macron. The case stemmed from a coordinated spread of harmful falsehoods, including persistent rumors questioning the French First Lady’s gender identity and baseless allegations of child abuse. Judge Thierry Donard emphasized the posts’ malicious intent, calling out the use of demeaning and degrading language circulated widely across social media with the clear purpose of damaging the plaintiff’s reputation.
Sentences Include Prison Terms, Suspensions, and Mandatory Civility Training
Of the ten convicted, eight received suspended prison sentences ranging from four to eight months. One defendant, who failed to appear in court during the October hearing, was sentenced to six months of unsuspended incarceration. The final individual was handed a lighter sentence involving a fine and compulsory participation in a digital behavior education program. All guilty parties are also required to attend a digital civility workshop — aimed at promoting respectful conduct online — and jointly pay €10,000 in damages to Brigitte Macron.
Influential Online Figures Receive Toughest Sentences
Several of the harshest punishments were reserved for public personalities who played a significant role in amplifying the defamatory narrative. Author Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, known online as Zoé Sagan, psychic Amandine Roy, and art dealer Bertrand Scholler were among those considered central to the spread. The court issued suspended sentences of six to eight months for each and banned them from using personal social media accounts for six months. Brigitte Macron’s lawyer, Jean Ennochi, welcomed the outcome, saying it underscored the importance of “education and the temporary suspension of harmful accounts” as part of a broader solution to online abuse.
Emotional Impact on Brigitte Macron and Her Family
Although Brigitte Macron did not attend the hearings, she gave detailed testimony during the investigation about the emotional toll these false claims had taken on her family. In a formal complaint filed in August, she expressed deep concern over the psychological distress caused, especially to her grandchildren—who were taunted at school with false claims that “their grandmother is a man.” Her daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, also spoke publicly about the significant mental health impact the ordeal has had on the First Lady, reinforcing her mother’s resolve to combat digital misinformation and harassment. Macron herself stated in a televised interview: “I’ve been fighting this from the start… If I don’t lead by example, the effort loses its meaning.”
Court Condemns Transphobic Remarks and False Accusations
The courtroom heard how several posts crossed the line from defamation into overt transphobia. Poirson-Atlan, under his pseudonym Zoé Sagan, went so far as to describe the age gap between Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron as a “state-sanctioned sexual crime,” while also falsely accusing the president of pedophilia. In 2021, Amandine Roy released a four-hour conspiracy video alleging that Brigitte Macron’s brother, Jean-Michel Trogneux, had transitioned and assumed her identity—a claim with no factual basis. Although Roy had previously been convicted of defamation in a separate case from September 2024, she was later acquitted on appeal. The Macrons have since brought the matter before France’s Court of Cassation in an effort to overturn the decision.
Rumors Gain International Traction Through Social Media and Influencers
One major figure believed to be involved in the international spread of the falsehoods is Xavier Poussard, currently residing in Milan. Since he was absent from the trial, his case has been separated for upcoming proceedings. Poussard is the author of Becoming Brigitte, a book that fueled much of the conspiracy theory and inspired further disinformation. The publication led to a wave of content on social platforms, including a video series by U.S. influencer Candace Owen. The Macrons are now pursuing legal action against her in the United States. Her viral videos helped push the fake narrative to a global audience, and several convicted individuals in France had shared hoax images, like a fabricated TIME magazine cover proclaiming Brigitte Macron as “Man of the Year.” Many defendants attempted to justify their posts as satire or commentary in the public interest, but these defenses were decisively rejected by the court.
