As per reports, ten individuals, comprising eight men and two women aged between 41 and 60, are reportedly standing trial in Paris for alleged sexist cyberbullying and defamation against Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France as of Monday (27 October).

• The defendants include an elected official, a teacher, a gallery owner, an IT specialist, and a medium.
• They are reportedly accused of posting and amplifying malicious online content targeting Brigitte Macron’s gender, sexuality, and age difference with President Emmanuel Macron.
• The defamatory claims originated from conspiracy theories falsely asserting that Brigitte Macron was born male under the name ‘Jean-Michel Trogneux,’ a name belonging to her brother.
• The trial also reportedly coincides with a broader disinformation campaign that extended beyond France, with American commentator Candace Owens amplifying the claims through online platforms.
• Brigitte Macron and her brother have also filed lawsuits in the US and before France’s Court of Cassation in response to these defamatory actions. The Paris prosecutor’s office stated that if convicted, the defendants face up to two years in prison for their involvement in cyber harassment and online abuse.