Some defendants again demanded the publication of "photos" that, according to them, should "prove" that Brigitte Macron was born a woman.
In France, a trial has opened regarding the online harassment of the First Lady. International media reports on how far-right communities on both sides of the Atlantic have turned a fabricated rumor into a source of profit, while the Macron couple is ready to defend their name simultaneously in France and the USA.
London's The Guardian notes that this is "the final phase of the legal battle that President Emmanuel Macron and his wife are waging on both sides of the Atlantic against the spreaders of false claims that the First Lady of France is a man named Jean-Michel Tronnoy (the name of her brother). The President and his wife filed a defamation lawsuit in the USA at the end of July regarding the same lie, amplified and repeatedly echoed online by far-right podcaster Candace Owens."
The Disinformation Machine
Editorials note that the videos, chats, and photos circulating around the world are backed by a powerful disinformation machine. "For four years, — reminds Le Soir (Brussels), — the Macron couple has been unable to rid themselves of these persistent and disgusting rumors (...). Photo montages, distorted videos, deepfakes are now created using artificial intelligence (...). Conspiracy circles and far-right groups launch the disinformation machine, while some influencers earn significant sums from the monetization of this info box. Algorithmic modes of social networks contribute to the spread of sexist and transphobic slander. Before Brigitte Macron, similar rumors targeted Michelle Obama, former US Vice President Kamala Harris, and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern."
Eight Men and Two Women
Among the ten defendants are eight men and two women aged between 41 and 60: a teacher, an IT specialist, a gallery owner, an elected official, a "medium," and even a "virgin healer."
The key figure is publicist Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, 41, known on social media by the pseudonym "Zoé Sagan." His account on X was suspended after several complaints. Besides Brigitte Macron, "Zoé Sagan" gained notoriety for spreading sexually explicit videos featuring Benjamin Griveaux — a Macron supporter and candidate for the mayor of Paris, who was forced to withdraw from the campaign in February 2020 after a scandal.
Also on the defendants' bench is Delphine J., a 51-year-old "medium" who declared herself an "independent journalist" and "whistleblower," known by the pseudonym Amandine Roux. In 2021, she published a four-hour interview on her YouTube channel with self-proclaimed "journalist" Natasha Ray. It claimed that Brigitte Macron, born Tronnoy, never existed, and that under this name hides her brother Jean-Michel Tronnoy, allegedly having undergone gender reassignment.
For these claims, Delphine J. was convicted in the first instance for defamation in September 2024 but was acquitted by an appeals court in July 2025. Brigitte Macron and her brother Jean-Michel Tronnoy filed a cassation appeal against this decision.
The First Lady's lawyer Jean Ennoshi stated in court:
"There is a denial on the part of the defendants... They all talk to you about freedom of speech, about defamation, completely denying cyberbullying and collective harassment."
Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, a lawyer herself, testified:
"It is important to be here today to explain the damage that can be caused to my mother. I wanted to share what her life has been like since she has been subjected to these attacks and the torrent of online hate. I have truly seen changes and a deterioration in her living conditions."
Brigitte Macron herself told investigators how hard it is for her grandchildren to hear that "their grandmother is a man."
The Destabilization Technique
"This case, — continues Le Soir, — also demonstrates the ability and strength of destabilization of murky far-right networks when they unite on both sides of the Atlantic.
According to an investigation by Le Monde, American influencer Candace Owens received materials from one of the French defendants linked to the far-right. Denials, anger, and the silence of the head of the French state and his wife have neither quenched the thirst for conspiracy nor stopped people's desire to receive such information."
Xavier Pussard, former editor-in-chief of the far-right magazine "Facts and Documents," although absent from the trial (he was questioned as a witness in Milan), plays a central role.
The defendants welcome the "thorough and detailed investigation" he conducted in the book "Becoming Brigitte" — an event in the conspiracy milieu, published in 2025 in collaboration with Candace Owens.
The American also released a series of videos on YouTube that gathered several million views — a success after which the presidential couple sued her in the USA.
Hard to Stop the Flow of Lies
"How to stop a conspiracy theory?" — asks La Croix (Paris). The answer: it is very difficult.
"Conspiracy theories are insidious in that they are 'zombie theories: they survive despite contradictions and resurrect after years,' — explains Tristan Mendes France, a researcher and member of the Observatory of Conspiracy. Each denial becomes yet another 'proof.' If the victim remains silent — it means they 'acknowledge the truth.' And justice, however necessary it may be, has only limited influence. Legal actions may have a temporary deterrent effect, but they do not make already disseminated content disappear."
For investigative journalist Thomas Yushon, a conspiracy specialist also interviewed by La Croix, it is necessary to distinguish between the convinced and the wavering.
"We will never convince conspiracy theorists, — he says. — But we can inform those who are still in doubt or have not been influenced."
He advocates a reclaiming strategy: "to retake media space, produce truth, and provide guidance."
Undignified Defense
As Le Figaro (Paris) notes, on the first day of the trial of the alleged harassers of Brigitte Macron, "most of the defendants did not plead guilty to cyberbullying. They all referred to freedom of speech and denied that they deliberately harassed the First Lady. For them, their tweets or retweets were merely 'humor' and a manifestation of 'satirical spirit' — 'the spirit of Charlie.'"
"A pathetic defense, — exclaims Le Soir. — The defendants wanted to present themselves as victims of persecution."
One of the defendants, Jérôme A., a 41-year-old IT specialist, stated in court:
"Madame Macron could not see my tweets; I have a very small account. [...] All influential people receive millions of tweets of all kinds."
When the presiding judge asked whether the claim that Brigitte Macron has "male genitalia" could be considered a form of criticism, he attempted to justify himself by calling it "humor in the spirit of Charlie."
Some defendants again demanded the publication of "photos" that, according to them, should "prove" that Brigitte Macron was born a woman.
Ready to Provide Evidence...
In any case, "the exposure of the private life of the Macron family is just beginning," — notes Le Monde (Paris). — As part of the procedure against American podcaster Candace Owens, Brigitte Macron is ready to undergo, if necessary, physiological tests to prove that she is a woman. The same type of examinations that some female athletes undergo when accused of lying about their gender. Family photos may also be presented. (...) The Macron couple is ready to travel to Delaware to appear in court or testify."
Tom Clare, the American lawyer for the President of France and his wife, told the BBC in September:
"If the discomfort that Brigitte Macron feels at the thought of such exposure is the price for restoring the truth, she is willing to pay that price."
And Le Monde asks:
"Will we see the sitting president appearing before the court of a foreign power? This event would be extraordinary — commensurate with the scale that this case has reached."
