A Paris court on Monday convicted 10 individuals for cyber-harassment of France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, over false claims that she is transgender, French media reported.
The group, comprising eight men and two women, spread malicious content online alleging that Brigitte was born male and wrongly equating her 24-year age gap with President Emmanuel Macron to “paedophilia.” Sentences of up to eight months with suspended jail time were handed down.
The ruling represents a significant victory for Brigitte Macron, who has increasingly taken legal action against cyber bullies and misinformation. She and her husband have long faced falsehoods, including claims that she was born under the name of her brother, Jean-Michel Trogneux.
Speaking to TF1 on Sunday, Brigitte Macron emphasized her commitment to fighting harassment and setting an example for young people. “A birth certificate is not nothing… I want to help adolescents to fight against harassment, and if I do not set an example, it will be difficult,” she said.
The case follows her separate ongoing defamation lawsuit in the United States against podcaster Candace Owens, who has promoted similar false claims.
