Ten people were found guilty by a Paris court of engaging in a persistent online harassment campaign directed against Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France.
According to reports by French media, the court ruled on Monday, January 5, 2026, that the defendants had disseminated false and defamatory allegations that Brigitte Macron is a transgender woman who was born male.
Similar conspiracy theories have been directed on Brigitte Macron and her husband, President Emmanuel Macron, for many years.
She was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, which is actually the name of her older brother, according to one of the most persistent false stories.
The Macrons’ 24-year age gap has also been a source of constant mockery.
In the past, the pair mainly disregarded the criticism, but more lately, they have chosen to take legal action against what they claim are orchestrated smear operations.
