A Paris criminal court on January 5 convicted 10 people in a case involving online posts and videos that claimed France’s first lady Brigitte Macron was born male. The court ruled that the content amounted to cyberbullying under French law.According to the judgment, the defendants shared and amplified false claims about Brigitte Macron’s identity across social media platforms between 2021 and 2024. Sentences ranged from mandatory cyberbullying awareness courses and suspended prison terms to custodial sentences of up to eight months. One defendant received a six-month jail term that may be served under alternative detention arrangements.
The court stated that the material was repetitive, coordinated and widely distributed, and that it met the legal threshold for cyberbullying due to its cumulative nature rather than any single post.Among those convicted were online commentators and content creators from various professional backgrounds. The court documents note that the case focused on the method, frequency and impact of dissemination, not on political criticism or commentary unrelated to personal identity.
Origin of the claims about France’s first lady
The claims originated from a four-hour YouTube video published in December 2021 by Delphine Jégousse, also known as Amandine Roy, alongside journalist Natacha Rey. The video alleged that Brigitte Macron was born under the name “Jean-Michel Trogneux”, which is the name of her brother.The video cited interpretations of photographs, physical appearance and personal history as supposed evidence. The content spread widely online and was later echoed by other individuals named in the case.The allegations gained traction during a period of heightened political tension ahead of France’s 2022 presidential election and continued to circulate in later years through reposts and commentary.
Legal history of the dispute
Brigitte Macron pursued multiple legal actions in response to the claims. In September 2024, a civil court ordered damages against some individuals involved, though parts of that ruling were later overturned on appeal in July 2025 on procedural grounds related to good-faith arguments.Separately, prosecutors pursued criminal charges related to cyberbullying, which resulted in the January 2026 convictions. The criminal case focused on harassment law rather than the truth or falsity of political viewpoints.A related defamation lawsuit filed in the United States against media figures who repeated similar claims remains pending.
The conspiracy theory and unproven allegations
The claims about Brigitte Macron form part of a broader online conspiracy narrative that alleges certain public figures have concealed their gender identity. The theory asserts that Brigitte Macron assumed another person’s identity and later transitioned, an allegation that has not been supported by official records.
