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Paris Appeals Court Overturns Libel Convictions in Brigitte Macron Gender Rumor Case

The ruling frees the women from all damages by finding their claims constituted good-faith speech

French President's wife Brigitte Macron looks on during a State Banquet
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First Lady Brigitte Macron has also been attacked over the 24-year age difference with her husband
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Overview

  • Appeals court judges found that the 18 video excerpts under consideration did not constitute defamation and were protected as good-faith expression.
  • A lower court had convicted Roy and Rey in September 2024, ordering them to pay €8,000 to Macron and €5,000 to her brother before the appeal decision nullified those damages.
  • The conspiracy theory originated from a four-hour YouTube broadcast in December 2021 and resurfaced in January 2025 when American commentator Candace Owens revived the allegations.
  • Brigitte Macron retains the option to appeal the ruling to France’s Court of Cassation for a final judicial review.
  • Four men, including publicist Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, face a planned October 2025 cyber-harassment trial for alleged online abuse of the first lady.