Misleading Claims Online Damaged Brigitte Macron's Well-being, Child Tells the Tribunal

The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a judicial body in Paris that inaccurate assertions spread through social media—among them the groundless claim that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a legal professional, served as a witness in the trial of 10 individuals accused of online harassment targeting Brigitte Macron.

Effects on Personal Routine

She testified that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, including her fashion choices to her posture, because of the concern that any image could be misused to advance hateful attacks.

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

Accused Individuals and Accusations

Eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60, are in court for digital abuse. Some had a small social media following, while the rest were more visible.

Every defendant is accused of spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's identity. In certain cases, this extended to comparing her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.

If convicted, they face as much as 24 months in incarceration.

Family Impact

She, a daughter from her mother's initial union, described how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "worsening of her health" and a "deterioration of her overall existence".

She said, "Hardly a day passes when a person avoids discussing the issue to her."

She emphasized the repercussions on her relatives, for example the kids learning about malicious statements like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "She is actually a man".

"She has no idea what to do about it," she remarked. "She holds no office, she has not sought anything, and she is permanently experiencing this abuse."

Legal Battle Context

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a extended court case against the false claim that Brigitte Macron is transgender.

They have also filed a case in America alleging slander against a political commentator who promoted the theory.

The case states that the claim is completely false and points out that the individual referenced is actually her brother.

Defendants' Responses

In court, several defendants rejected the allegations.

• A retired business owner, serving as a local official, claimed he "never intended to cause harm" and described his posts as ironic.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his social media shares were meant to be "irony" and highlighted apprehension that the legal action could undermine "free speech".
• A third defendant said he disseminated content because he felt it was a global issue with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The baseless rumor regarding the first lady's sex circulated partly because their union has often been a point of interest on the internet.

She, aged significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, originally knew him when working as a educator at the institution he attended.

Their relationship developed through drama activities, and they married in 2007, after her marriage dissolution.

Auzière wrapped up her testimony by stating that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "storm that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.