Paris court to rule in case involving alleged cyberbullying of Brigitte Macron

PARIS (AP) — A Paris court is to rule on Monday in a case involving 10 people accused of cyberbullying French first lady Brigitte Macron by spreading false online claims about her gender and sexuality, allegations her daughter said damaged her health and family life.

The defendants, eight men and two women aged 41 to 60, are accused of posting “numerous malicious comments” falsely claiming that President Emmanuel Macron ’s wife was born a man and linking the 24-year age gap with her husband to pedophilia. Some of the posts were viewed tens of thousands of times.

Brigitte Macron did not attend the two-day trial in October.

Her daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified about what she described as the “deterioration” of her mother’s life since the online harassment intensified. “She cannot ignore the horrible things said about her,” Auzière told the court. She said the impact has extended to the entire family, including Macron’s grandchildren.

Defendant Delphine Jegousse, 51, who is known as Amandine Roy and describes herself as a medium and an author, is considered as having played a major role in spreading the rumor after she released a four-hour video on her YouTube channel in 2021.

The X account of Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, 41, known as Zoé Sagan on social media, was suspended in 2024 after his name was cited in several judicial investigations.

Other defendants include an elected official, a teacher and a computer scientist. Several told the court their comments were intended as humor or satire and said they did not understand why they were being prosecuted. They face up to two years in prison if convicted.

The case follows years of conspiracy theories falsely alleging that Brigitte Macron was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, which is actually the name of her brother. The Macrons have also filed a defamation suit in the United States against conservative influencer Candace Owens.

The Macrons, who have been married since 2007, first met at the high school where he was a student and she was a teacher. Brigitte Macron, 24 years her husband’s senior, was then called Brigitte Auzière, a married mother of three.

Emmanuel Macron, 48, has been France’s president since 2017.

Brigitte Macron's lawyer Jean Ennochi answers reporters after a Paris court has found 10 people guilty of cyberbullying France's first lady, Brigitte Macron by spreading false online claims about her gender and sexuality, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Defendant Bertrand Scholler answers reporters after a Paris court has found 10 people guilty of cyberbullying France's first lady, Brigitte Macron by spreading false online claims about her gender and sexuality, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Defendant Delphine Jegousse known as Amandine Roy, answers reporters after a Paris court has found 10 people guilty of cyberbullying France's first lady, Brigitte Macron by spreading false online claims about her gender and sexuality, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Defendant Bertrand Scholler waits before the verdict in a case involving 10 people accused of cyberbullying French first lady Brigitte Macron by spreading false online claims about her gender and sexuality, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Defendant Delphine Jegousse known as Amandine Roy, arrives at the courtroom for the verdict in a case involving 10 people accused of cyberbullying French first lady Brigitte Macron by spreading false online claims about her gender and sexuality, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

FILE - French President's wife Brigitte Macron arrives ahead of the ceremony outside "La Belle Equipe" bar, Thursday Nov. 13, 2025 in Paris as part of ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of terrorist attacks. (Ludovic Marin, Pool photo via AP, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Sean Durzi scored 1:06 into overtime and the Utah Mammoth beat the New York Rangers 3-2 on Monday night for their second win in three games.

Dylan Guenther and Michael Carcone scored for Utah, and Karel Vejmelka had 22 saves.

Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafrenière scored goals, and Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad each had two assists for the Rangers, who lost for the fourth time in five games (1-2-2). Igor Shesterkin stopped all nine shots he faced before he left with an apparent injury with 7 minutes remaining in the first period. Jonathan Quick replaced him and finished with 14 saves.

In the extra period, Durzi scored from the right doorstep off a pinpoint pass from Nick Schmaltz through traffic from the left circle.

Carcone tied the score 2-2 at 6:15 of the third as he drove toward the net and scored past Quick just before sliding into the goalie and knocking the net off its moorings.

Lafrenière got the Rangers on the scoreboard first, redirecting a pass from Mika Zibanejad in front for a power-play goal at 8:29 of the second period.

Guenther tied it 4:09 later, scoring on a rush as his first shot bounced off Quick's pad but he put the rebound past the goalie for his 21st of the season.

Trocheck gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead with their second power-play goal of the period as he redirected Artemi Panarin's point shot past Vejmelka with 3:24 remaining.

Shesterkin appeared to injure his leg when bent awkwardly with his skate on the ice as he attempted to avoid contact with Mammoth forward JJ Peterka, who was on the edge of the crease. Peterka did not appear to make contact with Shesterkin, who lay down in the net in pain while he was attended to by a trainer and then helped off the ice.

Quick came on to make the first in-game goalie substitution in the Rangers' 44 games this season.

After the game, the Mammoth announced they traded defenseman Juuso Välimäki to Carolina for future considerations.

Mammoth: At Ottawa on Wednesday night.

Rangers: Host Buffalo on Thursday night.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/NHL

CORRECTS TO GOAL MADE BY VINCENT TROCHEK - New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10), left wing Alexis Lafrenière (13) and Adam Fox, center, celebrate Vincent Trochek's goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game Washington Capitals, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafrenière (13) skates with the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (16) skates with the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka makes a save in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) reacts after scoring his third goal of the game in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)