Misleading Claims on the Internet Damaged Brigitte Macron's Daily Life, Daughter Informs the Tribunal

Brigitte Macron's child, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—among them the groundless claim that Brigitte Macron is transgender—have negatively impacted her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a attorney, served as a witness in the trial of 10 individuals allegedly involved in online harassment against her mother.

Consequences on Daily Life

Auzière explained that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, including the clothes she wears to how she stands, as a result of the apprehension that any image may be manipulated to advance hateful attacks.

"The result is that she systematically has to pay attention to her outfits, her body language, no matter what her activities in her daily life," she testified.

Defendants and Allegations

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for internet-based bullying. Some had modest digital reach, while the rest were more visible.

Every defendant is accused of making malicious comments about the first lady's personal life. For some, this involved equating the disparity in years with Emmanuel Macron to inappropriate terms.

If convicted, they could receive as much as 24 months in jail.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a family member from her mother's initial union, stated how the baseless rumors have led to a "decline of her well-being" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She testified, "Scarcely a day passes when a person fails to mention the issue to her."

Auzière emphasized the impact on her relatives, such as her grandchildren learning about hurtful comments like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She has no idea how to stop it," Auzière stated. "She's not elected, she never asked for anything, and she is continually experiencing this abuse."

Judicial Proceedings Background

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a broader legal battle against the baseless theory that the first lady was a man.

The couple have initiated a US lawsuit alleging slander involving a conservative podcaster who spread the claim.

The case asserts that the allegation is totally unfounded and identifies that the person cited is actually her sibling.

Trial Testimonies

In court, a few individuals disputed the accusations.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "did not mean to cause harm" and described his online statements as humorous.
• A fiction writer claimed that his online activity were intended as "satire" and highlighted apprehension that the case could endanger "freedom of expression".
• An art gallery owner explained he posted posts since he thought it was an international matter with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The inaccurate claim about the first lady's sex gained traction in part because the Macrons' relationship has long been a topic of comment in digital spaces.

The first lady, who is 24 years older than the president, first met Emmanuel Macron when working as a educator at his secondary school.

The connection between them grew through theatrical projects, and they wed in the following year, following Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

Auzière concluded her testimony by expressing that the false claims have produced a "chaos that does not cease" for her mother.