French court convicts ten over online harassment of Brigitte Macron

Ten people were convicted on Monday by a Paris court for online harassment of France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, through the spread of false claims alleging that she is a transgender woman born male, French media reported, according to Reuters.

Brigitte Macron and her husband, French President Emmanuel Macron, have repeatedly faced false claims in recent years, with some alleging that she was “born” under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, the real name of her older brother, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

The 24-year age difference between Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron has also been the subject of criticism and accusations, which the couple long ignored but have increasingly begun to pursue through legal action.

Monday’s ruling gives momentum to the Macrons, who are also pursuing a major defamation lawsuit in the United States against right-wing influencer and podcaster Candace Owens, who has likewise claimed that Brigitte Macron was born male.

As reported by CE Report, the eight men and two women were found guilty of making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron’s sex and sexuality, with some even equating the age difference with her husband to “pedophilia.” They were sentenced to penalties of up to eight months of suspended prison terms, according to French media.