A Paris court just sent ten cyberbullies to prison for spreading transgender conspiracy theories about France’s First Lady, raising alarming questions about government power to criminalize speech that questions official narratives.
Story Snapshot
- Ten individuals convicted of cyberbullying for claiming Brigitte Macron was born male
- Sentences include six-month prison terms and social media bans up to six months
- Court ordered defendants to pay 10,000 euros in damages and attend cyberbullying training
- Case sets precedent for prosecuting online conspiracy theories in France
French Court Imposes Harsh Penalties for Online Speech
A Paris court convicted ten French citizens on Monday for spreading false claims about First Lady Brigitte Macron, including allegations she was born male under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux. The defendants, eight men and two women aged 41-65, received sentences ranging from suspended prison terms to six months behind bars. One defendant received an immediate six-month sentence, though French law may allow home confinement.
Government Uses Full Legal Power Against Critics
The Macron administration wielded considerable institutional power to silence online critics, demonstrating the vast resources available to government officials. Brigitte Macron’s daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified about alleged family harm, while President Macron appeared on state television channel TF1 claiming the prosecution would “set an example” against harassment. The court described the defendants’ comments as “particularly degrading, insulting, and malicious” with “cumulative harmful effects.”
Key defendant Amandine Roy, a 51-year-old author who produced a four-hour YouTube video about the conspiracy theory in 2021, received a six-month sentence. Another defendant, Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, had his social media account suspended on X (formerly Twitter) in 2024 during the investigation and received an eight-month suspended sentence.
Defendants Claimed Satirical Intent Amid Free Speech Concerns
Several defendants argued their posts constituted humor or satire rather than malicious harassment, raising fundamental questions about government authority over online expression. One teacher among the convicted apologized during proceedings, while others maintained their comments fell within protected speech boundaries. The case highlights France’s increasingly restrictive cyberbullying laws that grant broad discretion to prosecute online commentary targeting public figures.
The conspiracy theories falsely claimed Brigitte Macron, born Brigitte Auzière and a mother of three before her marriage, was actually her brother-in-law Jean-Michel Trogneux. These baseless allegations gained traction on social media platforms including YouTube and X, accumulating tens of thousands of views across multiple posts and videos.
Precedent Threatens Online Expression Rights
This conviction establishes dangerous precedent for criminalizing conspiracy theories and skeptical commentary about public officials in France. The court imposed comprehensive restrictions including mandatory cyberbullying awareness training, social media bans lasting up to six months, and collective payment of 10,000 euros in moral damages to the First Lady. Legal experts note this case could chill legitimate criticism and debate about political figures under the guise of preventing harassment.
Sources:
10 People Found Guilty of Cyberbullying France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron
Brigitte Macron Cyberbullying Convictions
Brigitte Macron Cyberbullying Transgender Sentence
