The trial concerns the spread of false rumors regarding Brigitte Macron, the wife of the French president. Charges have been brought against ten individuals, including eight men and two women aged between 41 and 65, for defamatory statements about the 24-year age difference between Brigitte (72 years old) and her husband Emmanuel (47 years old).
According to Brigitte Macron's lawyer, she did not attend the first hearing and does not plan to appear in court. Her daughter, Tiffany Ozier, may testify as a potential witness on Tuesday.
The list of defendants includes a civil servant, a gallery owner, a teacher, and internet psychic Delphine J., known online as Amandine Roux.
Last year, she and another defendant, Natasha Rey, who calls herself an independent journalist, were already convicted of defaming Brigitte Macron.
In 2021, Amandine Roux posted a video on YouTube claiming that Brigitte Macron is actually her brother, Jean-Michel Tronnier, who transitioned.
Despite this, Rey and Roux won their appeal, and now Brigitte Macron along with her brother are trying to contest the appellate court's decision.
Rumors that Brigitte Macron is transgender began circulating in 2017 when her husband became president of France.
These unfounded claims gained popularity in the U.S., where they were actively promoted by far-right influencer Candace Owens.
Last summer, the Macron family filed a lawsuit against Owens, stating that she ignores facts and continues to give a platform to conspiracy theorists spreading lies about Brigitte.
Emmanuel Macron explained the filing of the lawsuit as a defense of his honor, accusing Owens of deliberately spreading lies aimed at discrediting him.
Aurelien Poirson-Atlan, one of the defendants and a publisher by profession, known on social media by the pseudonym "Zoe Sagan," stated during a break in the court proceedings that he and his accomplices are facing "reverse bullying."
In turn, gallery owner Bertrand S. supported his words, noting that they are portrayed by far-right and conspiracy theorists, questioning who is actually being bullied.
The love story of Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron began in their school years when she was his teacher. The couple formalized their relationship in 2007 when Emmanuel was 29 and Brigitte was 54 years old.
