Hidden Hardships of Brigitte Macron Exposed: Exploration of Judge's Verdict on Allegations of Her Gender Transition Sparks Deluge of Trolls and Conspiracy Theorists
Brigitte Macron, the French First Lady, has found herself at the centre of a defamation case following claims made by two women, Natacha Rey and Amandine Roy, that she was born male. The allegations, which gained traction through a YouTube video in December 2021, have fuelled conspiracy theories, particularly among groups opposed to President Emmanuel Macron.
Initially, a lower court ruled in Ms Macron's favour, ordering the women to pay damages. However, the Paris Appeals Court overturned this ruling, stating that the women acted in good faith and their statements were an expression of belief rather than defamation. The court dismissed this libel claim too, finding that the women's allegations were based on well-known facts and were too imprecise or incoherent to constitute defamation.
The ruling has sparked a wave of online abuse towards Ms Macron, with reports indicating that the situation has become intolerable. The controversy has been further embellished by international figures like American commentator Candace Owens, who has amplified the rumours.
Brigitte Macron's personal life, including her marriage to Emmanuel Macron—a former student—and their 24-year age gap, has been subject to consistent public scrutiny since he took office in 2017. This scrutiny, combined with the recent defamation case, continues to make her a focal point for both criticism and admiration in French society.
In addition to the defamation case, Ms Macron is involved in a separate cyberbullying complaint, reflecting the broader legal challenges she faces in addressing online harassment. Her legal team is planning to take the defamation case to the Court of Cassation to challenge the Paris Appeal Court decision.
One point of contention in the case is a claim that Ms Macron abused her future husband when he was a boy, which was deemed a technical libel by the Appeal Court. However, the Court sources have denied that the annulling of the libel convictions means the Roy and Rey claims are true.
Jean Ennochi, Ms Macron's lawyer, confirmed that his client would be appealing to the Court of Cassation over the quashing of the libel convictions. This case highlights the challenges public figures face in combating misinformation and the blurring lines between free speech and defamation in the digital age.
The controversy surrounding Brigitte Macron, the French First Lady, has extended beyond the defamation case, with international figures like Candace Owens amplifying rumors, creating a wave of online abuse. The ruling on the defamation case, which deemed the women's statements as an expression of belief rather than defamation, has sparked debates over free speech and defamation in the digital age.
