The Daily Aus How France's First Lady sued her trolls
Jan 7, 2026
A landmark case in France sees ten individuals convicted of cyberbullying Brigitte Macron, raising crucial questions about online harassment of public figures. The discussion covers the alarming allegations made against her, including false claims about her gender identity. The hosts delve into the demographics of the defendants and the court’s findings of malicious intent, alongside the fines and social media bans they received. As France strives to regulate false information online, the implications for freedom of speech and accountability in digital spaces are explored.
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How Their Relationship Began
- Brigitte Macron met Emmanuel Macron when he was 15 and she was his drama teacher aged 39.
- They later divorced, formed a relationship and married in 2007, ten years before he became president.
False Claims Were Treated As Malicious
- Online posts accused Brigitte Macron of pedophilia and falsely claimed she was born male under the name Jean-Michel.
- The court found those claims were false and treated them as malicious misinformation, not harmless jokes.
Who The Defendants Were
- The defendants were eight men and two women aged between 41 and 65, and most denied wrongdoing.
- Some claimed their posts were satirical or public debate, but the court found malicious intent.