Ten Found Guilty of Cyber-Bullying Brigitte Macron
A Paris court has convicted ten individuals for cyber-bullying Brigitte Macron, the spouse of French President Emmanuel Macron. The defendants engaged in spreading false information regarding her gender and sexuality, as well as making derogatory comments about the 24-year age difference between the couple. While most received suspended prison sentences of up to eight months, one was immediately jailed for not appearing in court. Several defendants also faced social media suspensions.
Details of the Ruling
The judge highlighted that the eight men and two women had shown a clear intent to cause harm to Brigitte Macron through their insulting online remarks. Among the convicted were two notable figures: self-identified independent journalist Natacha Rey and online fortune-teller Amandine Roy. Both were guilty of slander in 2024 for alleging that the First Lady had never existed, claiming her brother had transitioned and taken on her identity. However, an appeal found them not guilty, arguing that suggesting someone changed their gender does not necessarily damage their honor.
Legal Proceedings and Family Impact
Following the verdict, Brigitte Macron’s lawyer, Jean Ennochi, emphasized that crucial aspects of the ruling included preventive education and the suspension of some offenders’ accounts. Tiphaine Auzière, Brigitte Macron’s daughter from a prior marriage, revealed during the trial how the cyber-bullying has adversely affected her mother’s well-being and lifestyle choices. She explained that her mother is now cautious about her clothing and posture, fully aware that her image could be manipulated to support these harmful theories. Though she has tried to adapt, Auzière noted that the impact extends to her grandchildren, who have faced bullying at school.
Implications Beyond France
The ruling in France sets a precedent ahead of a more extensive trial in the United States, where the Macrons have initiated a defamation lawsuit against right-wing commentator Candace Owens. They accuse Owens of propagating conspiracy theories regarding the First Lady’s gender while ignoring credible evidence that contradicts her claims. Owens has been vocal about her beliefs on her podcast and social media, asserting in March 2024 that she would stake her “entire professional reputation” on the notion that Brigitte Macron “is in fact a man.”
Shift in Strategy
Initially, the presidential couple opted to ignore the online rumors, believing that legal action would only amplify the chatter surrounding them. However, last year they reconsidered this stance, recognizing the intensity of the online harassment and deciding it was time to confront the conspiracy theorists head-on, even if it meant revealing aspects of their private lives in a U.S. court.
The conspiracy theory suggesting Brigitte Macron is a transgender woman has been circulating since her husband’s election in 2017, and their love story began when she was his teacher at a secondary school. The couple wed in 2007, when Emmanuel was just 29 and Brigitte was in her mid-50s.
Conclusion
The conviction of the ten individuals underscores the seriousness of cyber-bullying and highlights the ongoing battle against misinformation in the digital space. As the Macrons take steps to protect their family and address defamation claims, their resolve may inspire others facing similar challenges.
- Ten individuals convicted for cyber-bullying Brigitte Macron, with a range of sentences issued.
- Rey and Roy were previously found guilty of slander but cleared on appeal.
- Brigitte Macron’s daughter discussed the negative impact of the harassment on their family.
- The ruling sets the stage for a pending defamation suit against Candace Owens in the US.