A criminal court in Paris has delivered a landmark verdict, convicting ten individuals for a coordinated campaign of online harassment targeting France's First Lady, Brigitte Macron. The ruling, issued on January 5, 2026, found the defendants guilty of cyberbullying under French law for spreading false claims that Brigitte Macron was born male.
The Verdict and Sentences
The court determined that the content, shared and amplified across social media platforms between 2021 and 2024, was repetitive, coordinated, and widely distributed. It was the cumulative impact of the posts, rather than any single one, that met the legal threshold for cyberbullying. The sentences varied significantly:
- Mandatory cyberbullying awareness courses.
- Suspended prison terms.
- Custodial sentences of up to eight months.
- One defendant received a six-month jail term, which may be served under alternative detention arrangements.
The court clarified that the case focused solely on the method, frequency, and impact of the dissemination, not on political criticism. Those convicted included online commentators and content creators from various professional backgrounds.
Origin and Spread of the False Claims
The conspiracy theory originated from a four-hour YouTube video published in December 2021 by Delphine Jégousse (also known as Amandine Roy) alongside journalist Natacha Rey. The video falsely alleged that Brigitte Macron was born under the name “Jean-Michel Trogneux”, which is actually her brother's name.
It used dubious interpretations of photographs, physical appearance, and personal history as supposed evidence. This content spread rapidly online, gaining particular traction during the heightened political tension before France's 2022 presidential election. Other individuals later echoed and reposted the allegations, ensuring their circulation for years.
Legal History and Broader Context
Brigitte Macron pursued multiple legal avenues against these claims. In a separate civil proceeding in September 2024, a court ordered damages against some individuals, though parts of that ruling were overturned on appeal in July 2025 on procedural grounds.
The recent criminal convictions stem from charges pursued by prosecutors specifically under cyberbullying and harassment laws. The court did not rule on the truth of the claims but on their harassing nature. A related defamation lawsuit in the United States against media figures who repeated similar claims remains pending.
The false narrative is part of a broader online conspiracy theory alleging that certain public figures have concealed their gender identity. The theory asserts, without any evidence from official records, that Brigitte Macron assumed another person's identity and later transitioned.
This case underscores the serious legal consequences of coordinated online harassment campaigns, even when they are disguised as political commentary, setting a significant precedent in French cyber law.
