Ten Face Trial in France for Cyberbullying First Lady Brigitte Macron

Ten people have gone on trial in Paris accused of cyberbullying French First Lady Brigitte Macron over online claims about her gender and sexuality.

Prosecutors said the defendants, eight men and two women aged between 41 and 60, spread “malicious and defamatory” content on social media targeting President Emmanuel Macron’s wife. The group includes a local elected official, a gallery owner, a teacher, an IT expert, a property manager, and a business owner.

The case stems from a complaint filed by Brigitte Macron’s lawyer in August 2024, alleging online harassment that led to two waves of arrests in February and March 2025.

Investigators said the accused made false and degrading statements about the first lady’s gender and the age gap between her and the president — with some going as far as to describe it as “pedophilia.”

Among those on trial is 41-year-old advertising executive Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, known online by the pseudonym “Zoé Sagan.” His now-suspended X (formerly Twitter) account has been linked to several conspiracy theories and previous online abuse cases.

The trial comes three months after the Macrons filed a separate defamation lawsuit in Delaware, United States, against right-wing American commentator Candace Owens. The lawsuit accuses Owens of leading “a relentless year-long campaign of defamation” through social media posts and YouTube videos claiming that Brigitte Macron “could be a man.”

In March, Owens released a YouTube video titled “Is France’s First Lady a Man?” — calling it “likely the biggest scandal in political history.” She later followed up with a multi-part series titled “Becoming Brigitte,” which continues to circulate online among conspiracy circles.

The Paris court is expected to conclude proceedings within two days, with a verdict anticipated later.