Background on Brigitte Macron and Relevance of the Case
Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, is at the center of a significant cyberbullying case. The trial involves ten individuals accused of sexist online harassment against her, including a teacher, publicist, IT professional, and a medium. This case comes after the presidential couple initiated legal action in the United States for defamation related to a false viral news story about Brigitte Macron’s supposed transgender identity.
Accused Individuals and Their Actions
The accused, ranging from 41 to 60 years old, are suspected of making numerous malicious comments about Brigitte Macron concerning her gender and sexuality. They allegedly linked her age difference with her husband, Emmanuel Macron (she is 24 years older), to “pedophilia,” according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.
Key Accused Individuals
- Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, a 41-year-old publicist known by the pseudonym “Zoé Sagan” on social media. His X account was suspended following several complaints, often associated with conspiracy circles.
- Delphine J., a 51-year-old “medium,” journalist, and self-proclaimed whistleblower known as Amandine Roy. She played a significant role in spreading the rumor that Brigitte Macron, originally Trogneux, was a transgender woman born as Jean-Michel.
Legal Proceedings and Impact
The cyberbullying investigation was assigned to the Brigade for the Repression of Delinquency Against Persons (BRDP) following a complaint filed by Brigitte Macron on August 27, 2024. This led to multiple waves of arrests, particularly in December 2024 and February 2025.
Legal Context and Consequences
Delphine J. was initially fined for defamation in September 2024, ordered to pay damages to Brigitte Macron and her brother Jean-Michel Trogneux. However, she was acquited on appeal in July 2025, with the Macrons appealing this decision. The 24-year age difference between Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron partly explains the spread of this rumor, which has gone viral beyond France’s borders.
International Reach and Involvement
The false and transphobic information became viral, especially in the United States. In response, the presidential couple took legal action against right-wing podcaster Candace Owens for her series “Becoming Brigitte.” Several of those facing trial in Paris shared posts from influencer MAGA, including a modified Time magazine cover with Brigitte Macron labeled “Man of the Year” and another post promising a group of people to clarify the situation in Amiens, France, with the help of American bloggers.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the key individuals involved in this case? The accused include a teacher, publicist Aurélien Poirson-Atlan (known as “Zoé Sagan”), and Delphine J., a self-proclaimed medium and journalist known as Amandine Roy.
- What are they accused of? They are charged with sexist cyberbullying against Brigitte Macron, making malicious comments about her gender and sexuality and linking her age difference with her husband to pedophilia.
- What legal actions have been taken by the Macrons? The Macrons initiated defamation lawsuits in the United States against Candace Owens and have pursued legal action against those spreading false information about Brigitte Macron.
- What are the potential consequences for the accused? If found guilty, the accused could face up to two years in prison.
