The defendants cited free expression over sharing jokes and conspiracy posts about Brigitte Macron’s identity
A French court has heard a case against people accused of spreading online rumors that Brigitte Macron was born male, in proceedings that revived a conspiracy theory long denied by France’s first lady.
The two-day trial in Paris – where ten defendants are accused of cyberbullying – was attended by Macron’s daughter, Tiphaine Auzieres, who testified in her mother’s absence, according to a Politico report on Tuesday.
The defendants, ranging from a computer scientist to a disabled man “who spends a lot of time on Twitter,” were accused of posting messages mocking Macron’s alleged gender, claiming she was born under her brother’s name, and spreading conspiracy theories about a media cover-up. In court, they cited free expression, saying the posts were intended as satire or part of public debate.
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