• Ten individuals are on trial for cyber-harassment against Brigitte Macron.
• The harassment includes claims suggesting she is transgender and referencing age gap as "paedophilia."
• Testimony from Brigitte Macron's daughter is expected during the proceedings.
• The trial follows a defamation lawsuit filed by the Macrons in the U.S.
• Convictions could result in sentences of up to two years in prison.

Ten people began trial proceedings in Paris accused of cyber-harassment relating to false claims that French First Lady Brigitte Macron is a transgender woman. The defendants, eight men and two women aged between 41 and 60, are charged with spreading unsubstantiated theories about her gender and making derogatory comments regarding her marriage to President Emmanuel Macron, including comparisons to "paedophilia." If convicted, they could face up to two years in prison, according to SCMP and Al Jazeera.

The trial's commencement highlights the psychological toll of these allegations, with the presiding judge indicating that the defendants' actions led to a “deterioration” in Brigitte Macron's physical and mental health. The online posts related to these claims gained significant traction, with tens of thousands of views. Previous misinformation about Brigitte, notably the assertion that she was born as Jean-Michel Trogneux, a name shared with her brother, has long circulated among far-right and conspiracy theorist circles, both in France and the U.S., according to Los Angeles Times and Le Monde.

On the second day of the trial, Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, is scheduled to testify regarding the impact these false claims have had on their family, particularly on the younger generation. The court proceedings stem from a complaint filed by Macron in August 2024, leading to investigations and arrests related to the cyber-harassment allegations. Moreover, the couple has pursued a defamation lawsuit in the U.S. against conservative influencer Candace Owens for continuing to propagate these false narratives, demanding significant damages, according to SCMP and Al Jazeera.

The proceedings are reflective of a broader cultural conflict concerning gender identity, with the Macrons' case emerging within the context of ongoing debates in the U.S. regarding transgender rights. The defendants have voiced claims of exercising their rights to free speech in their derogatory statements, suggesting a complicated interplay between personal liberties and the impact of online harassment. The trial is expected to conclude with a verdict within a forthcoming timeframe, according to Los Angeles Times and Le Monde.