Mila Ho 9-ll
A Paris court convicted ten people for cyberbullying France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, over years of false and harmful online rumors. The ruling is seen as a major step in France’s fight against digital harassment and misinformation, affirming that online abuse has real consequences.
A Paris court has delivered a landmark ruling against online harassment by convicting ten people for cyberbullying France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron. The decision comes after years of persistent false claims and personal attacks that targeted her gender, family life, and marriage to President Emmanuel Macron. The verdict is being widely seen as an important step in France’s growing effort to fight digital abuse and misinformation.
The case focused on a group of eight men and two women who used social media to spread rumors claiming that Brigitte Macron was born male and had changed her identity. These allegations, which have circulated online since Emmanuel Macron became president in 2017, were based on conspiracy theories that falsely linked her identity to her brother, Jean-Michel Trogneux. In addition to these claims, the defendants also made cruel remarks about the 24-year age difference between the presidential couple, sometimes comparing their relationship to serious crimes.
During the trial, judges made clear that the comments went far beyond harmless opinion or humor. The court ruled that the defendants had acted with a clear intention to harm, describing their actions as degrading, insulting, and emotionally damaging. While some of the accused tried to defend themselves by saying their posts were meant as satire, the court rejected this argument, stating that satire cannot be used as an excuse for sustained harassment and the spread of harmful lies.
The sentences reflected the seriousness of the offenses. One defendant received a six-month prison sentence without suspension, while several others were given suspended jail terms of up to eight months. Additional punishments included financial fines, mandatory awareness courses on cyber harassment, and temporary bans from using the social media platforms where the abuse had taken place. Legal experts say these measures show that French courts are beginning to treat online abuse with the same gravity as harassment in the physical world.
For Brigitte Macron, the verdict represents more than a legal win. It is also a personal stand after years of silence in the face of rumors and insults. Speaking publicly about her experience, she described the attacks as relentless and deeply invasive. Some of the harassment even crossed into attempts to interfere with her private records online, making the situation feel not only humiliating but unsafe. She explained that her decision to fight back was motivated by a desire to set an example, especially for young people who suffer from bullying every day. In her words, if public figures do not defend themselves, it becomes harder for ordinary citizens to feel protected.
The impact of the cyberbullying extended beyond Brigitte Macron herself. Her daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, told the court that the attacks had affected her mother’s health and daily life. She explained that Brigitte became increasingly careful about how she dressed, moved, and presented herself in public, knowing that every image could be twisted to support false theories. The harassment also reached the next generation, as her grandchildren faced teasing and hurtful comments at school because of rumors they did not understand.
This case is unfolding at a time when debates over free speech and online responsibility are becoming more intense across Europe and the United States. Some critics argue that efforts to punish online speech threaten freedom of expression. Others respond that freedom of speech does not include the right to
spread lies or to harm people through sustained harassment. In this trial, the Paris court clearly sided with the second view, drawing a firm line between expressing opinions and engaging in abuse.
The ruling also connects to a much larger legal battle now taking place in the United States. The Macrons have filed a defamation lawsuit against right-wing influencer Candace Owens, who has repeated the same conspiracy theories about Brigitte Macron’s gender on her podcast and social media platforms. The presidential couple alleges that Owens ignored all credible evidence and instead chose to promote claims made by known conspiracy theorists. While the Macrons were once advised to ignore online gossip, they have since decided that the scale and persistence of the attacks leave them no choice but to respond through the courts.
For many observers, the conviction of the ten defendants marks a turning point in how societies address digital harassment. The internet has given people the power to communicate instantly, but it has also made it easier to spread lies without facing immediate consequences. By holding these individuals accountable, the French justice system is sending a clear message that online behavior has real-world effects and that victims of cyberbullying deserve protection.
As the debate continues about the limits of free speech in the digital age, this case stands as a reminder that words can wound just as deeply online as they can in person. For Brigitte Macron and her family, the verdict offers a sense of justice after years of silence. For the wider public, it signals a growing recognition that combating cyberbullying is no longer optional—it is a necessary part of protecting dignity in modern society.
SOURCES
The Bulldogs' Journal 