BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
A Paris court is expected to deliver its verdict on Monday in a closely watched cyberbullying case involving 10 defendants accused of orchestrating and amplifying a sustained online harassment campaign against France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, by spreading false and defamatory claims about her gender and sexuality.
The case centers on allegations that the defendants—eight men and two women between the ages of 41 and 60—posted and circulated what prosecutors described as numerous malicious comments on social media platforms. The posts falsely claimed that Brigitte Macron was born male and sought to link the 24-year age difference between her and President Emmanuel Macron to pedophilia. According to court filings, some of the content reached audiences of tens of thousands, contributing to the rapid spread of the rumors.
Brigitte Macron did not attend the two-day trial held in October, but her daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, appeared in court to describe what she said had been a profound and lasting impact on her mother’s wellbeing. Auzière told judges that the online abuse had led to a marked deterioration in her mother’s quality of life, saying the first lady was unable to shield herself from the volume or cruelty of the accusations circulating online.
“She cannot ignore the horrible things said about her,” Auzière testified, adding that the strain extended beyond her mother to affect the entire family, including the president’s grandchildren. She described an atmosphere of constant anxiety and distress, fueled by repeated waves of online attacks that resurfaced even after earlier legal action and public denials.
Among the defendants, Delphine Jegousse, 51, who uses the name Amandine Roy and presents herself as a medium and author, is alleged to have played a central role in disseminating the rumors. Prosecutors pointed to a four-hour video she posted on her YouTube channel in 2021 as a key moment in the spread of the conspiracy theory, arguing that it gave new visibility and apparent legitimacy to claims that had already been circulating on fringe platforms.
Another prominent figure in the case is Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, 41, known online as Zoé Sagan. His account on the social media platform X was suspended in 2024 after his name appeared in several judicial investigations. Court documents indicate that content associated with his account significantly amplified the false allegations.
The remaining defendants come from a range of professional backgrounds, including an elected official, a teacher and a computer scientist. Several told the court that their posts were intended as humor or satire and said they did not believe their comments amounted to criminal conduct. Prosecutors rejected that defense, arguing that the repetition, reach and explicit nature of the claims demonstrated an intent to harass and defame. If convicted, the defendants face penalties of up to two years in prison.
The case follows years of conspiracy theories falsely asserting that Brigitte Macron was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, which is in fact the name of her brother. Despite repeated denials and legal action, the claims have continued to resurface, particularly on social media and video-sharing platforms. In a separate move, the Macrons have filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States against conservative influencer Candace Owens over similar allegations.
Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron have been married since 2007. They first met when Emmanuel Macron was a student at a high school where Brigitte Macron, then known as Brigitte Auzière, was a teacher. At the time, she was married and a mother of three. Emmanuel Macron, now 48, has served as president of France since 2017.
The ruling due on Monday is expected to clarify how French courts will apply existing laws on online harassment and defamation to high-profile cases involving misinformation and conspiracy theories, at a time when authorities across Europe are grappling with the growing impact of digital abuse on public life.
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