The allegations about Brigitte Macron

Ten go on trial for harassment by Macron

On Monday, ten people went on trial in Paris for harassment of President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte Macron, several media outlets report. The people, eight men and two women aged 41 to 60, are said to have written derogatory comments about Macron. Among other things, they have spread the false claim that she is actually a man.

If convicted, they risk a prison sentence of up to two years, writes The Guardian. Macron himself reported the people last year.

In parallel with the trial in the French capital, the presidential couple has sued the American right-wing influencer and podcaster Candace Owens, who spread lies that Brigitte was born a man.

The allegations about Brigitte Macron - the case is relevant

• False claims that France's first lady Brigitte Macron is transgender began to spread after the 2021 presidential election and spread globally via social media.
• Two women posted a viral YouTube video in December 2021 claiming that Brigitte Macron was born a man, leading to their conviction for defamation in Paris on September 12, 2024.
• The convicted women were ordered to pay €8,000 in damages to Brigitte Macron and €5,000 to her brother Jean-Michel Trogneux.
• The Macrons have also sued American right-wing influencer Candace Owens in Delaware for similar claims and have hired private investigators to investigate her connections.
• Similar conspiracy theories have been directed at other public women, and experts believe the aim is to silence women and cast suspicion on those in power.