Brigitte Macron 'feared bulge between her legs' amid bizarre claims she was born a man

Brigitte Macron is reportedly worried about a "bulge" in her trousers amid false conspiracy theories that she is actually transgender. Former Justice Minister and close friend of the Macrons, Éric Dupond-Moretti, shed light on the impact the rumours have had on the French first lady. He told RTL Radio that Mrs Macron was afraid that "her trousers would bulge in public".

She filed a complaint in August 2024, which led to an investigation and subsequent arrests in December 2024 and February 2025. Last week, 10 people stood trial for the alleged cyber-harrassment of Mrs Macron, which began with false claims that she was born a man.

Eight men and two women stand accused of making multiple comments about her gender and sexuality, including calling the 25-year age gap with her husband "paedophilia".

Prosecutors are seeking suspended prison sentences of three to 12 months, and fines of up to €8,000 (£7,000).

Mrs Macron told investigators: "Every time I am abroad, people talk to me about [the rumour]. There is not a single head of state's spouse who is not aware of it."

The court heard how the trolling caused a "serious deterioration in her physical and mental health".

Mrs Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auziere, said her children have also struggled due to the "horrible things said about her".

She said: "This has repercussions on her children and grandchildren. They hear things at school such as, 'Your grandmother is a man'. I don't know how to make it stop."

Ms Auziere added that her mother "has to pay attention to what she wears, how she holds herself, because she knows that her image can be distorted".

She said: "It was important for me to be here today to express the harm. I wanted to express what her life has been like since she suffered this hatred. There has been change and deterioration.

"My mother always has to be careful about how she dresses and behaves in public because of this fake news. She knows that her image could be taken and distorted. She's constantly under attack. She can't ignore all the horrors being said about her."