🔗 Share this article

The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations circulating on the internet—among them the groundless claim that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a attorney, was called as a testifier in the legal proceedings of 10 individuals allegedly involved in online harassment targeting her mother.

Impact on Daily Life

She testified that the first lady now worries constantly about her demeanor, such as her fashion choices to how she stands, as a result of the apprehension that every photograph may be manipulated to fuel hateful attacks.

"The result is that she always has to pay attention to her clothing, her body language, regardless of her actions in everyday routine," she testified.

Defendants and Accusations

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for internet-based bullying. A few had modest digital reach, while several more were more prominent.

All is accused of posting harmful statements about the first lady's identity. In certain cases, this extended to linking her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to hurtful comparisons.

Upon being found guilty, they face a maximum of two years in jail.

Family Impact

Auzière, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's initial union, described how the baseless rumors have led to a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".

She said, "Scarcely a day passes when an individual fails to mention this to her."

Auzière pointed out the impact on the family, such as the younger generation hearing hurtful comments like "She is deceptive" or "She is your grandfather".

"She has no idea how to stop it," she stated. "She holds no office, she has not sought anything, and she is continually subjected to these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings Context

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a extended court case against the inaccurate allegation that she is a man.

The couple have pursued a case in America for defamation involving a media personality who promoted the claim.

The case states that the claim is entirely inaccurate and points out that the name mentioned is in fact Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Trial Testimonies

During the trial, a few individuals denied the allegations.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, stated he "had no purpose to cause harm" and described his posts as satirical.
• A fiction writer claimed that his social media shares were intended as "irony" and highlighted apprehension that the legal action could threaten "free speech".
• An art gallery owner explained he disseminated posts since he thought it was a global issue with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The false theory about Brigitte Macron's sex spread to some extent because their marriage has often been a topic of comment in digital spaces.

She, being significantly older than the president, originally knew Emmanuel Macron when serving as a educator at his secondary school.

Their bond developed through the school's theatre programme, and they married in 2007, following Brigitte Macron's divorce.

She concluded her testimony by expressing that the false claims have created a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.