Ten people will appear in court in Paris on Monday and Tuesday on charges of online harassment of France’s first lady Brigitte Macron, after spreading false claims that she was transgender and born a man, according to Reuters.
On the dock are eight men and two women, aged between 41 and 60, who were accused before a criminal court in Paris of spreading offensive and misogynistic comments about the gender and sexuality of Brigitte Macron through social networks, and some linked the age difference between her and her husband, President Emmanuel Macron, to “pedophilia”.
If they are found guilty, they face up to two years in prison.
– These are posts and tweets that can be considered harassment of Mrs. Macron – said the lawyer of one of the defendants, Carlo Brusa, adding that his client is “calm”.
– He is part of hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions of people who shared this story that was considered sensationalist – although it was much less fun for Mrs. Macron – a story that is known all over the world – Brusa said.
Brigitte Macron’s unsubstantiated gender claims have received international attention in recent months, especially in the United States, where Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron filed a defamation lawsuit in July against right-wing influencer and podcast host Candace Owens, who claimed the first lady was “born a man.”
False claims that Brigitte Macron, 72, was born Jean-Michel Trogneux – which is actually her older brother’s name – have been circulating online for years and have often been criticized for the 24-year age difference between her and the French president.
Brigitte Macron filed an official complaint in August 2024, which led to an online harassment investigation and arrests in December 2024 and February 2025.
Her lawyer was not available for comment, while the president’s office declined to comment on the case.
In September, Brigitte Macron won a lawsuit against two women, including a self-proclaimed psychic, who contributed to spreading rumors about her gender.
However, an appeals panel overturned that decision in July, and Brigitte Macron appealed to France’s Court of Cassation, the country’s highest court.
(Vijesti.ba/Fena)
