The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a Paris court that misleading allegations spread through social media—among them the groundless claim that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have significantly harmed her mother's daily existence.
Auzière, a legal professional, appeared as a witness in the court case of ten people allegedly involved in online harassment against her mother.
Consequences on Everyday Activities
Auzière stated that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, such as her fashion choices to the way she carries herself, because of the fear that any image may be distorted to fuel hateful attacks.
"The outcome is that she constantly needs to be careful to her clothing, her posture, no matter what she's doing in day-to-day existence," Auzière informed the judges.
Accused Individuals and Accusations
Eight men and two women, in that age range, are facing charges for online harassment. Some had modest digital reach, while several more were more visible.
All is charged with posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's personal life. Among them, this involved linking the disparity in years with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.
Upon being found guilty, they face up to two years in jail.
Consequences for Loved Ones
Auzière, a family member from her mother's initial union, stated how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "deterioration of her overall existence".
She said, "Not a day passes when someone avoids discussing this to her."
She emphasized the impact on loved ones, such as the younger generation being exposed to false assertions like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "She is actually a man".
"She does not know what to do about it," Auzière testified. "She didn't run for election, she never asked for anything, and she is continually experiencing these attacks."
Legal Battle Background
The Paris trial is part of an ongoing effort in a broader legal battle targeting the inaccurate allegation that she was male.
They have pursued a US lawsuit for defamation against a political commentator who promoted the allegation.
The case asserts that the claim is entirely inaccurate and points out that the name mentioned is actually her brother.
Trial Testimonies
During the trial, a few individuals denied the accusations.
- One defendant, holding a public position, asserted he "did not mean to hurt anyone" and described his social media content as humorous.
- A well-known publicist claimed that his posts were presented as "humor" and expressed concern that the case could endanger "the right to speak freely".
- Another individual said he shared content since he thought it was an international matter with "impact on the nation".
Past Context
The false theory concerning Brigitte Macron's sex gained traction in part because their marriage has frequently been a topic of comment in digital spaces.
The first lady, being significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, originally knew him when working as a instructor at his secondary school.
Their bond grew through the school's theatre programme, and they entered into marriage in that year, after her separation.
She finished her account by expressing that the false claims have caused a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for her mother.
