French first lady Brigitte Macron's lawyer, Jean Ennochi, announced on 14/7 that she is appealing to the Court de Cassation, France's highest appeals court. This follows a Paris appeals court's 10/7 decision to overturn the initial ruling against the two women, Amandine Roy and Natacha Rey.

Ennochi previously stated that Jean-Michel Trogneux, Mrs. Macron's brother, is also appealing the lower court's dismissal of the charges against Roy and Rey.

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron in London, England, on 8/7. Photo: AP

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron in London, England, on 8/7. Photo: AP

In a YouTube video posted in December 2021, just weeks before the 2022 French presidential election, Roy, a self-proclaimed psychic, and Rey, an independent journalist, claimed that Mrs. Macron was a transgender man named Jean-Michel. The rumor spread to the US, leading to mockery of President Macron during a visit. The two women also publicized Trogneux's personal information.

A Paris court in September 2024 ordered Roy and Rey to pay Mrs. Macron 8,000 euros (8,800 USD) and Trogneux 5,000 euros (5,500 USD) in damages. They were also fined 500 euros (over 554 USD) each. The Paris appeals court's 10/7 decision nullified these penalties.

Mrs. Macron, 72, married Mr. Macron, 47, in 2007. Their 24-year age gap has drawn public attention since he became president.

Ngoc Anh (According to AFP)