10 found guilty of cyberbullying France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron

A Paris court has convicted 10 individuals over a sustained campaign of online harassment targeting France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron.

The verdict was delivered on Monday, January 5, 2026, with the court ruling that the defendants spread false and defamatory claims alleging that Brigitte Macron is a transgender woman who was born male, according to reports by French media.

For years, Brigitte Macron and her husband, President Emmanuel Macron, have been subjected to similar conspiracy theories.

One of the most persistent false claims alleged that she was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, which is in fact the name of her elder brother.

The Macrons have also faced repeated ridicule over their 24-year age difference.

While the couple largely ignored the criticism in the past, they have recently opted to challenge what they describe as coordinated smear campaigns through legal action.