Brigitte Macron’s gender case heard by French court
The defendants invoked freedom of expression regarding their sharing of jokes and conspiracy theories about Brigitte Macron’s identity
A French court has heard arguments in a case against individuals accused of disseminating online rumors claiming Brigitte Macron was born male. These proceedings have rekindled a conspiracy theory that France’s first lady has long denied.
The two-day trial in Paris, where ten defendants face charges of cyberbullying, saw Brigitte Macron’s daughter, Tiphaine Auzieres, provide testimony in her mother’s absence, as reported by Politico on Tuesday.
The defendants, whose backgrounds range from a computer scientist to a disabled man described as “spending a lot of time on Twitter,” were accused of publishing messages that ridiculed Macron’s alleged gender, asserted she was born under her brother’s name, and spread conspiracy theories about a media cover-up. In court, they asserted free expression, arguing their posts were intended as satire or contributions to public debate.
Auzieres, who was the sole witness to testify, stated that her mother found the persistent rumors impossible to ignore and that the allegations had made it “impossible” for her to live a normal life. She added that Macron had grown more cautious about her public appearances.
The rumors about Emmanuel Macron’s wife first emerged in 2021, initiated by two French women: an independent journalist and a self-proclaimed spiritual medium. Their Facebook posts and a YouTube interview rapidly spread, popularizing the hashtag #JeanMichelTrogneux, which conspiracy theorists claimed was Brigitte Macron’s true name. Jean-Michel Trogneux is, in fact, her brother. Auzieres testified in court that she had recently seen her uncle and that he was “doing very well.”
Macron subsequently sued the two women the following year for defamation and privacy violation, successfully securing compensation.
American commentator Candace Owens was also referenced during the trial, with several defendants admitting they had shared her videos or been influenced by her content. Owens is currently facing a separate lawsuit from the Macrons in Delaware, US, for spreading similar claims online.
A judgment in the Paris case is anticipated later on Tuesday.
The Macrons, married since 2007, have repeatedly faced scrutiny regarding their relationship. They met when he was a student at Lycée la Providence in Amiens, where she was a teacher. Brigitte, who is 24 years his senior, has three children and seven grandchildren.