The court in France found 8 men and 2 women guilty of online harassment for spreading false information and insulting remarks about Brigitte Macron, France's First Lady. Several received suspended prison sentences, and some were banned from using social media. Legal representatives emphasized this ruling as a significant milestone in combating online hate.
On Monday (5 Jan), a court in Paris ruled that 10 defendants—8 men and 2 women—were guilty of online harassment against Brigitte Macron, wife of President Emmanuel Macron. The defendants spread false rumors about her gender identity and sexual orientation, and used derogatory language regarding the 24-year age gap between the Macrons.
The court stated that all defendants acted with clear intent to shame and demean the First Lady. Most were sentenced to up to 8 months in prison, suspended. One defendant was jailed immediately for failing to appear in court. Some defendants had their social media accounts suspended and were ordered to attend training to prevent repeat offenses.
The case traces back to some defendants, such as Natasha Rey (an independent journalist) and Amandine Roy (an online psychic), who were convicted of defamation in 2024 for fabricating the claim that "Brigitte Macron does not exist" and that her brother, having undergone gender reassignment surgery, impersonates her. Although an appeals court later acquitted them, reasoning that the transgender allegation "does not damage honor," the Macron family has since filed an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Tiphaine Auzière, Brigitte's daughter from a previous marriage, told the court that the bullying severely affected her mother's health and daily life. Brigitte had to be cautious even in choosing clothes or how she walked, fearing images could be distorted. Additionally, her grandchildren were mocked at school, which caused great pain to the family.
This legal victory is seen as a "prelude" to a major lawsuit in the United States. The Macron couple has filed defamation charges against Candace Owens, a prominent right-wing influencer, after Owens claimed on podcasts and social media that she "would stake her reputation" that the French First Lady is actually a man.
Originally, President Macron was advised to ignore these rumors to avoid amplifying them. However, last year they decided to change tactics and pursue legal action fully, due to the severity and widespread nature of the attacks becoming unacceptable.
Brigitte Macron first met Emmanuel Macron when she was his high school teacher. They married in 2007 when he was 29 and she was in her mid-50s. Conspiracy theories about her gender identity have spread intensively since Macron's first election victory in 2017.
/sourceBBC