Ten individuals to face trial over baseless transgender claims about France’s Brigitte Macron

Ten individuals, including journalists and private citizens, are set to face trial in Paris over their alleged roles in widely disseminating false and defamatory claims that French First Lady Brigitte Macron is a transgender woman.

The decision to prosecute comes after a sustained period of online harassment and the amplification of a baseless conspiracy theory that has spread globally.

The trial, which is expected to begin in the coming months, will address charges of defamation and complicity in defamation. Brigitte Macron, along with her brother Jean-Michel Trogneux, initiated legal proceedings against those they accuse of spreading the false information.

The Origin of the Conspiracy Theory

The conspiracy theory gained significant traction in late 2021, primarily through social media platforms and fringe websites. It falsely claimed that Brigitte Macron, whose maiden name is Trogneux, was born a male named Jean-Michel Trogneux and had undergone gender transition.

Online Disinformation: The narrative was heavily amplified by accounts associated with the far-right and anti-vaccination movements, initially on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, before migrating to other sites.

Targeting and Harassment: The claims led to widespread online harassment of the First Lady, forcing her and her family to take legal action to protect their privacy and reputation.

Key Individuals Facing Trial

Among those expected to face the court are:

• Amandine Roy: A self-proclaimed "spiritual medium" who first posted a lengthy video in December 2021, promoting the false claims.
• Natacha Rey: A self-identified independent journalist who participated in the video and provided "evidence" for the theory.
• Other individuals: Several others who actively shared or amplified the claims through their online platforms or publications.

Legal experts suggest the trial will focus on proving the malicious intent behind the dissemination of these claims and the direct harm caused to Brigitte Macron's reputation and privacy. Her lawyers have consistently stated that the allegations are entirely baseless and have caused significant distress to her and her family.

Wider Context of Disinformation

This case highlights a broader issue of online disinformation targeting public figures, particularly women in power, with false and often gendered attacks. Legal scholars have noted that such conspiracy theories often aim to discredit public figures and destabilize public discourse.

The trial is anticipated to draw significant media attention, serving as a landmark case in France's efforts to combat the spread of harmful online falsehoods.