Inaccurate Claims on the Internet Negatively Impacted Brigitte Macron's Daily Life, Child Testifies to Judges

Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a judicial body in Paris that false claims circulating on the internet—among them the groundless claim that she was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a attorney, was called as a witness in the legal proceedings of ten people accused of internet-based abuse targeting the first lady.

Impact on Personal Routine

Auzière stated that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, including her fashion choices to how she stands, because of the fear that every photograph may be distorted to support hateful attacks.

"The result is that she always needs to be careful to her outfits, her body language, regardless of she's doing in her daily life," Auzière testified.

Defendants and Accusations

Ten individuals, aged 41 to 60, are on trial for online harassment. Some had limited online influence, while several more were better known.

All is charged with spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. Among them, this involved linking the age gap with the French president to offensive labels.

If found responsible, they could receive as much as 24 months in prison.

Family Impact

She, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, explained how the false claims have led to a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

She explained, "Hardly a day goes by when a person does not talk the issue to her."

She emphasized the effects on loved ones, including the kids being exposed to malicious statements like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "She was born male".

"She has no idea how to stop it," she stated. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought anything, and she is permanently experiencing this abuse."

Judicial Proceedings History

This case is the latest phase in a extended court case targeting the inaccurate allegation that the first lady is supposedly male.

The Macrons have also filed a legal action in the United States over false statements against a conservative podcaster who amplified the claim.

The case asserts that the allegation is totally unfounded and notes that the individual referenced is in fact her older brother.

Trial Testimonies

In court, several defendants disputed the accusations.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, stated he "never intended to cause harm" and described his posts as satirical.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his social media shares were presented as "satire" and voiced worry that the case could endanger "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner said he disseminated content since he thought it was a global issue with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The inaccurate claim about the first lady's identity spread in part because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a subject of discussion on the internet.

The first lady, aged significantly older than her husband, originally knew the future president when working as a teacher at his school.

Their bond evolved through theatrical projects, and they married in that year, after Brigitte Macron's separation.

She concluded her account by saying that the inaccurate allegations have created a "whirlwind that never stops" for Brigitte Macron.