Paris Court Convicts Ten for Online Harassment of French First Lady Brigitte Macron

Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, has been the target of persistent online harassment and conspiracy theories falsely claiming she is transgender, which her daughter Tiphaine Auzière says has severely impacted her health and daily life. Ten individuals, including professionals such as a computer scientist and a teacher, were convicted for sexist online harassment, receiving suspended prison sentences and fines. The harassment involved malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's gender identity and the 25-year age difference between the Macrons, with some defendants framing it as "pedophilia." Auzière testified that the conspiracy theories have caused significant anxiety not only for her mother but also for her grandchildren, who have been confronted with questions about their grandmother's gender. The defendants denied wrongdoing, citing humor and freedom of expression, but the court proceedings mark a significant stand against such defamation. Parallel to this, the Macrons have also initiated a defamation lawsuit in the United States against a far-right podcaster spreading similar false claims.