Misleading Assertions on Social Media Damaged Brigitte Macron's Well-being, Child Tells the Tribunal

The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a Paris court that misleading allegations online—such as the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron is transgender—have significantly harmed her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a legal professional, appeared as a witness in the court case of ten people facing charges for internet-based abuse targeting her mother.

Impact on Personal Routine

Auzière stated that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, including her attire to her posture, as a result of the fear that every photograph may be misused to fuel malicious comments.

"The outcome is that she always has to pay attention to her clothing, her body language, regardless of her actions in her daily life," Auzière informed the judges.

Defendants and Charges

The defendants, aged 41 to 60, are on trial for digital abuse. Some had limited online influence, while the rest were more visible.

All is alleged to have posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. Among them, this included linking the age gap with her husband to hurtful comparisons.

If convicted, they face up to two years in prison.

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, one of three children from her mother's initial union, explained how the false claims have led to a "worsening of her well-being" and a "worsening of her overall existence".

She testified, "Scarcely a day goes by when a person fails to mention these claims to her."

She pointed out the repercussions on loved ones, including her grandchildren hearing malicious statements like "She is deceptive" or "She was born male".

"She has no idea how to end it," she testified. "She holds no office, she never asked for anything, and she is constantly facing this abuse."

Legal Battle Context

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight against the false claim that she is supposedly transgender.

They have pursued a case in America for defamation against a media personality who amplified the claim.

The legal filing asserts that the allegation is totally unfounded and identifies that the person cited is actually Brigitte Macron's older brother.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, some of the accused disputed the allegations.

• A retired business owner, serving as a local official, stated he "did not mean to inflict damage" and referred to his posts as humorous.
• A fiction writer argued that his online activity were presented as "irony" and highlighted apprehension that the legal action could threaten "freedom of expression".
• An art gallery owner explained he posted posts as he believed it was a global issue with "impact on the nation".

Personal History

The inaccurate claim concerning the first lady's identity gained traction to some extent because their marriage has frequently been a point of interest in digital spaces.

She, being two decades older than her husband, originally knew him when serving as a teacher at his school.

The connection between them evolved through theatrical projects, and they wed in 2007, after her divorce.

She concluded her statement by stating that the baseless rumors have produced a "storm that never stops" for the first lady.