A court in Paris has delivered a landmark verdict, finding ten individuals guilty of orchestrating a sustained campaign of cyber harassment against France's First Lady, Brigitte Macron.
Verdict Reached in Paris Court
The ruling was handed down on Monday 05 January 2026. The case centred on a series of malicious online posts that spread false and defamatory claims about Ms Macron's gender and personal life. The legal action was initiated by the First Lady herself to combat the spread of these harmful falsehoods.
Details of the Harassment Campaign
The convicted group, comprising eight men and two women aged between 41 and 60, used online platforms to propagate vicious rumours. Their posts falsely alleged that Brigitte Macron is a transgender woman. Furthermore, their commentary maliciously twisted the age difference between the First Lady and President Emmanuel Macron, with some equating it to "paedophilia".
The court determined that these actions constituted a deliberate and harmful campaign of online abuse. This case underscores the serious legal consequences for online bullying, even when targets are public figures. It represents a significant personal legal victory for Brigitte Macron in her fight against defamation.
Broader Implications for Online Behaviour
This conviction sends a powerful message about the boundaries of acceptable discourse on the internet. It highlights that freedom of speech does not extend to the targeted harassment and spread of demonstrably false information designed to cause distress. The case is one of the most high-profile in France concerning the cyber harassment of a political figure's family member.
Legal experts suggest the ruling could set a precedent for how similar cases of online abuse are handled, particularly those involving the weaponisation of identity and private life. The outcome reinforces the principle that individuals, regardless of their public profile, have a right to protection from coordinated digital attacks.
