Paris — July 15, 2025: Brigitte Macron, France’s First Lady, has taken her libel case to the country’s highest court after a Paris appeals court overturned convictions against two women who falsely claimed she was born a man.
Her lawyer confirmed the move on Monday, July 14, saying the case would now be reviewed by the Court de Cassation.
The legal saga stems from a YouTube video published in December 2021, in which self-proclaimed spiritual medium Amandine Roy interviewed self-described journalist Natacha Rey.’
Over four hours, Rey detailed a baseless theory alleging that Brigitte Macron was originally a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux — in fact, the name of Brigitte’s brother — and had transitioned before marrying Emmanuel Macron.
The video quickly spread online, amplified by conspiracy circles both in France and internationally, particularly in the United States. The theory has circulated widely on social media for years, alongside persistent commentary about the 24-year age gap between Brigitte and President Macron.
Brigitte Macron filed a defamation complaint in response to the video, resulting in a lower court ruling in September 2023. That court ordered Roy and Rey to pay €8,000 in damages to the First Lady, and €5,000 to her brother Jean-Michel Trogneux.
However, last Thursday, the Paris appeals court reversed the convictions, dismissing the charges. In reaction to the ruling, both Brigitte Macron and her brother have decided to escalate the matter to the Court de Cassation, France’s highest court of appeal for civil and criminal matters.
Brigitte’s lawyer, Jean Ennochi, told Agence France-Presse that the decision to appeal was rooted in defending dignity against “falsehoods that undermine personal and family integrity.” He added that the spread of such disinformation sets a dangerous precedent, especially in an era of rampant online conspiracy theories.
The case has drawn widespread media attention not only due to its high-profile nature, but also because of the broader implications for how French courts handle internet-based defamation and conspiracy-driven content.
Legal experts say the Court de Cassation’s eventual decision could establish new jurisprudence on digital libel and the protection of public figures from viral misinformation.
As of now, no date has been set for when the Court de Cassation will hear the case. Meanwhile, the defendants continue to assert their right to free expression, despite criticism over their promotion of unfounded and damaging claims.
Brigitte Macron has largely avoided public comment on the matter but has made clear through legal avenues that she intends to confront the falsehoods head-on.