A trial is set to commence in Paris this week for ten individuals accused of engaging in sexist cyber-bullying targeting Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. The defendants allegedly spread unfounded claims concerning Mrs. Macron’s gender and sexuality, and made derogatory remarks about the 24-year age difference between the couple.
Those facing charges include an elected official, a gallery owner, and a teacher. If convicted, they could face up to two years in prison.
This legal action follows earlier proceedings where two individuals, journalist Natacha Rey and fortune-teller Amandine Roy, were found guilty of slander for promoting a conspiracy theory that Brigitte Macron had never existed, and that her brother had transitioned and adopted her name. However, an appeals court later acquitted them, a decision the Macrons are now challenging.
The conspiracy theory regarding Brigitte Macron’s gender identity gained traction online, particularly promoted by right-wing influencer Candace Owens. The Macrons filed a lawsuit against Owens last July, accusing her of disregarding factual evidence in favor of promoting conspiracy theories and defamation.
According to the Macrons’ lawyer, Tom Clare, Brigitte Macron found these claims “incredibly upsetting” and they served as a “distraction” to the President. President Macron has stated that the legal action is about “defending his honour,” asserting that Owens disseminated false information with malicious intent and in support of certain ideologies, with ties to far-right figures.
Brigitte Macron first met her husband when she was his teacher. They married in 2007, when Emmanuel Macron was 29 and Brigitte was 54.