French Court Convicts 10 for Coordinated Cyber-Harassment of Brigitte Macron

In a landmark ruling on January 5, 2026, a Paris criminal court sentenced ten individuals for their roles in a massive online harassment campaign targeting the French First Lady, Brigitte Macron. The case has been hailed as a significant victory in the fight against digital disinformation and gender-based cyberbullying.

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The Verdict and Sentencing

The defendants, a group of eight men and two women aged 41 to 65, faced charges of “insulting and malicious” online conduct. The court issued a range of penalties based on the severity of their involvement:

• Suspended Prison Sentences: The most active participants received suspended sentences of up to eight months.
• Mandatory Training: Several individuals were ordered to complete cyberbullying awareness programs.
• Financial Restitution: The group was ordered to pay damages for the psychological distress caused to the First Lady and her family.

Origins of the Harassment

The legal case focused on the viral spread of the “Jean-Michel Trogneux” conspiracy theory. This false narrative claimed that Brigitte Macron was born male and had transitioned—a claim aimed at delegitimizing her and attacking the President’s personal life.

Key figures convicted include:

1. Delphine Jegousse (“Amandine Roy”): A “medium” whose 2021 video served as the primary catalyst for the rumors.
2. Aurélien Poirson-Atlan (“Zoé Sagan”): A high-profile social media account holder who amplified the conspiracy to hundreds of thousands of followers.

Impact and “The Example”

The court acknowledged that the campaign caused a measurable decline in Brigitte Macron’s health and wellbeing. However, the First Lady’s legal team emphasized that this trial was not just about her, but about protecting others from online vitriol.

“If I don’t do it, who will?” Brigitte Macron stated during the proceedings, noting that her goal was to prove that “anonymity does not mean impunity” on the internet.

The Global Reach

While this ruling concludes the domestic criminal case in France, the legal battle continues internationally. The Macron family has also initiated defamation proceedings in the United States against American commentator Candace Owens, who has frequently promoted the same debunked theories to a global audience.