Paris (TDI): A Paris court on Monday found 10 individuals guilty of cyber-harassment targeting France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron, in a case that drew widespread media attention.
The convicts, eight men and two women, were found guilty of spreading false claims that Brigitte Macron is transgender and of making malicious comments about her age difference with President Emmanuel Macron, including accusations framed as “paedophilia.” The sentences handed down were up to eight months suspended.
The Macron couple, who have a 24-year age gap, have faced persistent falsehoods for years, including rumors falsely claiming that Brigitte was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, the name of her older brother. While they previously ignored much of the online harassment, they have increasingly taken legal action to challenge these attacks.
Monday’s ruling is seen as a victory for the Macrons, coming as they also pursue a separate defamation case in the United States against right-wing influencer and podcaster Candace Owens, who has made similar false claims.
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In an interview, Brigitte Macron emphasized her determination to combat cyberbullying. “The attacks online seemed endless, including people who broke into my tax website and altered my identity,” she said.
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She also stressed the importance of setting an example for younger generations: “A birth certificate is not nothing. It is a father or a mother declaring their child, who confirms who he is or who she is. I want to help adolescents fight against harassment, and if I do not set an example, it will be difficult.”
The case underscores growing concerns in France about online harassment and the legal accountability of those who spread false and harmful information on social media.
