A high-profile trial commenced in Paris on Monday, involving ten individuals accused of cyberbullying Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. The defendants, comprising eight men and two women aged between 41 and 60, are alleged to have disseminated malicious online comments questioning Brigitte Macron’s gender and sexuality, as well as making unfounded claims about her age gap with her husband, insinuating inappropriate behavior. Among the accused are a self-proclaimed medium, an advertising executive, an elected official, a teacher, and a computer scientist. Some of the defendants have significant social media followings, with posts garnering tens of thousands of views. The case highlights the persistent conspiracy theories surrounding Brigitte Macron, including baseless claims that she was born male and transitioned to female. This trial follows a defamation lawsuit filed by the Macrons in July in a Delaware court against U.S. conservative influencer Candace Owens, who has propagated similar allegations. Owens, known for her controversial views, has a substantial online presence, with her YouTube channel boasting 4.5 million subscribers. The Paris trial is part of a broader legal battle, as the Macrons continue to combat defamatory claims. In September 2024, Brigitte and her brother Jean-Michel Trogneux won a defamation case against two women, though the ruling was later overturned by a Paris appeals court. The Macrons have since appealed to France’s highest court. The couple, married since 2007, first met when Emmanuel Macron was a student and Brigitte was his teacher. Brigitte, 24 years older than her husband, has faced relentless scrutiny and misinformation, which this trial seeks to address.
Ten people face trial accused of cyberbullying French president’s wife Brigitte Macron
