Brigitte Macron Cyberbullying Verdict: French Court Convicts 10, US Lawsuit Against Candace Owens Looms

In a landmark decision that reverberates across the digital landscape, a Paris court has found ten individuals guilty of cyber-bullying Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. The verdict, handed down in early 2026, marks a significant moment in the ongoing battle against online harassment, particularly targeting public figures with baseless conspiracy theories. The defendants were accused of disseminating false claims about France’s First Lady’s gender and sexuality, coupled with ‘malicious remarks’ concerning the 24-year age gap between her and her husband.

The ruling not only brings a degree of justice to the Macrons but also serves as a potent reminder of the real-world consequences of online vitriol. Most of the convicted individuals received suspended prison sentences of up to eight months, with one defendant immediately jailed for failing to appear in court. Additionally, some had their social media accounts suspended, a measure aimed at curbing their ability to continue spreading harmful content. The judge emphasized that the eight men and two women acted with a clear intent to harm Brigitte Macron, posting ‘degrading and insulting’ remarks online.

The Anatomy of a Conspiracy: Spreading Baseless Claims

The core of the cyber-bullying campaign revolved around a persistent and utterly unfounded conspiracy theory: the claim that Brigitte Macron is a transgender woman named Jean-Michel Trogneux, her elder brother. This theory, which has circulated widely since Emmanuel Macron’s election in 2017, gained traction through various online channels, often amplified by self-styled independent journalists and internet personalities. Two notable figures, Natacha Rey and internet fortune-teller Amandine Roy, were initially found guilty of slander in 2024 for these specific claims, though they were later cleared on appeal. The appeals court’s reasoning—that asserting someone had changed gender was not necessarily an ‘attack on their honour’—has been challenged, with the Macrons now taking that particular case to the high court of appeal.

Beyond the gender identity claims, the defendants also targeted the significant age difference between Brigitte Macron, 72, and Emmanuel Macron, 48. The couple’s relationship began when Brigitte was his drama teacher at a secondary school in Amiens, and they married in 2007 when he was 29 and she was in her mid-50s. While their unique love story has always attracted public interest, the cyber-bullies weaponized it, with some even equating the age gap to paedophilia – a deeply disturbing and false accusation.

The Deep Personal Toll: A Family Under Siege

The impact of this relentless online harassment extends far beyond mere public scrutiny; it has deeply affected Brigitte Macron’s personal well-being and that of her entire family. Tiphaine Auzière, Brigitte Macron’s daughter from a previous marriage and a lawyer, provided a poignant testimony during the trial. She revealed how the cyber-bullying had negatively impacted her mother’s health and daily life, forcing her to be ‘careful about her choices of outfits, of posture… she knows perfectly well that her image will be used to back these theories.’

Auzière’s testimony painted a vivid picture of the constant vigilance her mother endures, constantly aware that every public appearance could fuel the malicious narratives. While Brigitte Macron has ‘learned to live with it,’ Auzière highlighted the agonizing repercussions on her own children, Brigitte’s grandchildren, who were taunted at school with cruel remarks like, ‘Your grandmother is lying’ or ‘Your grandmother is your grandfather.’ This familial distress underscores the insidious nature of cyber-bullying, which often harms not just the direct target but their innocent loved ones as well.

Brigitte Macron herself has spoken out against the attacks. In an interview with French television channel TF1 the night before the verdict, she firmly stated her resolve to fight on. ‘People are playing with my family tree, claiming I’m a man,’ she asserted, dismissing the claims by pointing to the fundamental evidence of her identity. ‘A birth certificate is not nothing. It is a father or a mother who goes to declare their child, who says who he is or who she is.’ She also expressed her desire to be a role model for young people, stating, ‘I want to help teenagers fight against bullying, and if I do not set an example, it will be difficult.’

A Radical Shift in Strategy: From Silence to Confrontation

For years, the presidential couple had been advised that the best course of action against such online gossip was to ignore it, fearing that any legal challenge would simply amplify the baseless claims. This strategy, common among public figures, aimed to starve the conspiracy theories of oxygen. However, last year marked a ‘radical change of course.’ The Macrons concluded that the sheer scale and intensity of the online attacks had become too pervasive to simply overlook.

This strategic pivot reflects a growing recognition among public figures and legal experts that ignoring widespread disinformation can be as damaging as confronting it. The decision to push back, even ‘at risk of exposing their private selves in a US court,’ demonstrates a determined effort to reclaim their narrative and protect their family from further harm. This shift signals a broader trend where victims of online harassment, particularly those in the public eye, are increasingly choosing to use legal avenues to combat defamation and the spread of malicious falsehoods.

The US Front: Candace Owens and the Global Reach of Disinformation

The Paris court’s ruling is not an isolated incident but a precursor to a much larger legal battle unfolding across the Atlantic. The Macrons have filed a high-profile defamation lawsuit in the United States against right-wing influencer Candace Owens, who has repeatedly amplified and endorsed the conspiracy theories about Brigitte Macron’s gender. Owens has regularly reiterated these claims on her popular podcast and social media channels, going as far as to state in March 2024 that she would stake her ‘entire professional reputation’ on her belief that the French First Lady ‘is in fact a man.’

The lawsuit alleges that Owens ‘disregarded all credible evidence disproving her claim in favour of platforming known conspiracy theorists and proven defamers.’ This legal action highlights the global nature of online disinformation, where claims originating in one country can quickly be picked up and amplified by influential voices in another, reaching millions. The Macrons’ pursuit of justice in both French and American courts underscores the comprehensive approach required to combat such widespread and damaging falsehoods.

The case against Owens will test the boundaries of free speech versus defamation in the digital age, particularly when dealing with claims that are demonstrably false yet gain significant traction online. Several of the individuals convicted in Paris were found to have shared posts originating from or influenced by such right-wing influencers, demonstrating the interconnected web of online disinformation campaigns.

The verdict in Paris and the impending US lawsuit against Candace Owens represent more than just legal victories for Brigitte Macron; they are a forceful declaration that online spaces are not lawless frontiers. In an era where disinformation can be weaponized with devastating personal consequences, these actions set a crucial precedent, affirming that accountability for malicious online conduct is not only possible but imperative. It sends a clear message that while the internet offers unprecedented platforms for expression, it does not offer immunity from the truth or the law, especially when dignity and reputation are at stake.