Misleading Claims Online Damaged Brigitte Macron's Well-being, Child Informs Court

The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a Paris court that misleading allegations spread through social media—among them the baseless theory that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a attorney, appeared as a witness in the court case of ten people allegedly involved in internet-based abuse directed at her mother.

Consequences on Everyday Activities

She testified that the first lady now worries constantly about her appearance, including her attire to how she stands, due to the apprehension that each snapshot may be distorted to fuel malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she always needs to be careful to her clothing, her body language, no matter what her activities in her daily life," she informed the judges.

Defendants and Charges

Eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60, are facing charges for digital abuse. A few had a small social media following, while several more were more prominent.

Every defendant is alleged to have spreading defamatory content about the first lady's identity. For some, this included linking the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to inappropriate terms.

If convicted, they face a maximum of two years in jail.

Family Impact

She, a family member from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, explained how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "worsening of her well-being" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".

She testified, "Hardly a day goes by when a person does not talk these claims to her."

Auzière emphasized the effects on loved ones, including the younger generation learning about false assertions like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "She was born male".

"She is unsure what to do about it," Auzière testified. "She didn't run for election, she never asked for any of this, and she is constantly facing these assaults."

Legal Battle Context

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a extended court case addressing the inaccurate allegation that the first lady is a man.

They have initiated a case in America over false statements targeting a political commentator who promoted the allegation.

The legal filing clarifies that the claim is completely false and identifies that the name mentioned is actually Brigitte Macron's brother.

Trial Testimonies

In court, a few individuals denied the charges.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, claimed he "did not mean to hurt anyone" and referred to his posts as ironic.
• A fiction writer argued that his social media shares were meant to be "humor" and expressed concern that the legal action could threaten "freedom of expression".
• An art gallery owner explained he posted posts since he thought it was an international matter with "implications for the country".

Past Context

The false theory regarding Brigitte Macron's sex spread partly because the Macrons' relationship has often been a subject of discussion online.

The first lady, being 24 years older than her husband, initially encountered Emmanuel Macron when serving as a teacher at the institution he attended.

The connection between them developed through drama activities, and they entered into marriage in 2007, following Brigitte Macron's divorce.

Auzière finished her statement by expressing that the false claims have produced a "storm that continues endlessly" for the first lady.