Two women convicted of defaming French First Lady Brigitte Macron by claiming she was “born a man” have been sensationally cleared on appeal in a ruling that has reignited controversy surrounding the French presidential couple.
Judges sitting at the Paris Appeal Court on Thursday ruled that Amandine Roy, a 53-year-old self-described clairvoyant, and Natacha Rey, 49, a blogger, had every legal right to make the inflammatory allegations under France’s free speech protections.
The court determined that the 18 passages from their controversial December 2021 YouTube video “do not constitute defamation” but instead represent “good faith” free speech, overturning previous convictions and financial penalties against both women.
Complete Reversal of Previous Rulings
The dramatic reversal marks the end of a lengthy legal battle that began when Ms Macron filed a defamation complaint in January 2022. A judge in Lisieux, Normandy, had originally fined both women €2,000 (approximately £1,700) each after finding them guilty of libel.
Following earlier appeals, Roy’s fine had been reduced to €1,000 (£850), whilst Rey had €1,500 of her €2,000 fine suspended, leaving her to pay just €500 (£400). Now, neither woman will have to pay anything, and crucially, they will be able to repeat their allegations without legal consequence.
“We’re acquitted!” exclaimed Maud Marian, defence barrister for Roy, whilst François Danglehant, representing Rey, also expressed satisfaction with the judgment. Neither defendant was present when the verdict was announced.
Claims of State Intimidation
Throughout the proceedings, both women claimed they were subjected to “intimidation by the authorities” as “ultra protected” members of the Paris establishment attempted to cover up what they described as a “state secret”.
The allegations centre on claims that Brigitte Macron, née Trogneux, is actually her brother Jean-Michel Trogneux, who allegedly transitioned and assumed a female identity. These explosive claims first gained traction during Emmanuel Macron’s 2017 presidential campaign and have persisted despite repeated denials.
Growing International Controversy
The court ruling comes as Ms Macron faces mounting attacks both in France and internationally. American conservative commentator Candace Owens has recently amplified the allegations through a video series called “Becoming Brigitte”, claiming she would “stake her entire professional reputation” on the assertion that Brigitte Macron is transgender.
French investigative journalist Xavier Poussard has published a controversial book of the same name, which has reportedly become a bestseller in France. Poussard claims to have spent eight years investigating the French First Lady’s background and alleges significant inconsistencies in her official biography.
According to sources familiar with the book, Poussard was forced to relocate his family to Italy due to what he describes as intimidation tactics, including raids on his mother’s home. Despite his provocative claims, Poussard has never been sued for defamation by the Macrons.
Additional Legal Battles Ahead
The appeal court victory for Roy and Rey comes as four male defendants prepare for their cyber-harassment trial at the Paris Correctional Court. They stand accused of making “numerous malicious comments about Brigitte Macron’s gender and sexuality” and likening her to a paedophile due to the age difference with her husband.
Among the accused is Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, 41, known on social media as “Zoe Sagan”, where he spreads multiple conspiracy theories. His defence barrister, Juan Branco, has criticised the prosecution as “taking an obvious political direction”, particularly as his client is being held on remand for what he characterises as matters of “free speech opinion.
Personal Turmoil Amid State Visit
The ruling coincided with Ms Macron’s participation in the ongoing State Visit to Britain alongside her husband, despite the recent death of her older sister, Anne-Marie Trogneux, 93, less than a week ago.
“Madame Macron adored her sister, and the loss has affected her greatly,” said an aide involved in organising the high-profile trip. “But she agreed that it was her duty to be in the United Kingdom, despite it coinciding with a period of mourning.”
The timing has added to speculation about apparent tensions between the presidential couple, following shocking video footage in May showing Ms Macron appearing to slap her husband’s face when they touched down in Hanoi for a state visit to Vietnam. The Macrons denied any domestic abuse, attributing the incident to a minor disagreement.
Controversial Origins
The Macron marriage has long been subject to intense scrutiny due to its unconventional beginnings. In 1992, when the future president was a schoolboy at La Providence high school in Amiens, he developed a deep affection for his drama teacher, the then 40-year-old Brigitte Auzière, who was married with three young children.
Ms Macron later admitted that being romantically linked “with such a young boy was crippling,” especially in their close-knit, Roman Catholic community. She spoke of the rumours her own children – one a classmate of young Emmanuel – had to endure, saying: “You can imagine what they were hearing. But I didn’t want to miss out on my life.”
The couple finally wed in 2007, a decade before Mr Macron stunned France by winning the presidency as an independent candidate.
Implications for Free Speech
The appeal court’s ruling represents a significant victory for free speech advocates in France, establishing that even highly controversial and potentially offensive claims about public figures can be protected under freedom of expression laws when made in “good faith.
Legal experts suggest the decision could embolden others to make similar allegations without fear of legal repercussions, potentially opening the floodgates for more conspiracy theories about public figures.
As the controversy continues to swirl, the Élysée Palace has maintained a dignified silence, with neither Emmanuel nor Brigitte Macron commenting directly on the court’s decision or the renewed allegations circulating internationally.
The ruling marks just the latest chapter in what has become one of France’s most persistent and divisive conspiracy theories, one that shows no signs of abating despite – or perhaps because of – official attempts to suppress it.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
Image Credit:
Brigitte Macron and Emmanuel Macron – November 2018 (1541931666) – Photo by Ennoti, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
