Brigitte Macron: 10 people accused of calling French first lady a man go on trial

In Paris, eight men and two women between the ages of 41 and 60 began their trial in criminal court, all accused of online harassment targeting Macron.

Ten people accused of harassing Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, will stand trial in Paris today, as part of a case the couple brought against individuals who they claim spread false allegations that the French first lady was born a man.

The French trial — which pertains to a legal complaint filed by Brigitte in 2024 — is separate from a lawsuit the Macrons filed in the U.S. in July against right-wing political podcaster Candace Owens, who the couple claims used the rumour about Brigitte’s biological sex to bolster her popularity.

The Macrons said in a lawsuit filed in Delaware Superior Court that Owens has waged a lie-filled “campaign of global humiliation” and “relentless bullying” to promote her podcast and expand her “frenzied” fan base.

Meanwhile, in Paris, eight men and two women between the ages of 41 and 60 began their trial in criminal court, all accused of online harassment targeting Macron.

If found guilty, they face up to two years in prison.

According to The Guardian, prosecutors say the defendants — all of whom deny the accusations — made several malicious comments about Brigitte’s gender and sexuality, and allegedly said the age difference between her and her husband equates to pedophilia.

Brigitte is 72, and her husband is 47.

Brigitte Macron was known as Brigitte Auzière, a 39-year-old married mother of three, when she met a 15-year-old Macron while he was a student at the high school where she taught.