Ten people will appear in a Paris court on October 27 and 28 on charges of cyberbullying Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, Agence France-Presse reported.
“Eight men and two women will be tried on Monday and Tuesday in a Paris criminal court for cyberbullying Brigitte Macron on grounds of sexism“, the statement said.
The case will involve numerous malicious online allegations about the French first lady's gender and sexual orientation, as well as the age difference between her and her husband, which some commentators have equated with pedophilia, Agence France-Presse reported France-Presse.
Among the accused are the writer Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, known under the pseudonym “Zoey Sagan“, and Amandine Roa (real name Delphine Jegus), on whose YouTube channel the self-proclaimed independent journalist Natasha Ray made allegations about Brigitte Macron's gender.
The investigation was launched after the president's wife filed a complaint in August 2024, the agency recalls. It is not known whether she will appear in court. It is noted that the accused could face up to two years in prison.
Rumors about the French first lady's gender are constantly exploited by many online media. Interest in the topic was fueled by the documentary film by American journalist Candice Owens about Brigitte Macron, which caused a new wave of discussion and prompted the presidential couple to sue her for defamation.
The journalist claims that the French first lady was born a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux. The Macrons want a trial and compensation. According to their lawyer Tom Clair, they are ready to travel to the United States in person to attend the hearing.
He also said that the Macrons are ready to present the American court with photographs and “scientific“ evidence confirming that Brigitte was born a woman.