🔗 Share this article

The French first lady's child, her daughter, has told a judicial body in Paris that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—including the unfounded rumor that the French first lady was born a man—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.

She, a attorney, was called as a testifier in the legal proceedings of ten people allegedly involved in online harassment against her mother.

Impact on Daily Life

Auzière explained that Brigitte Macron now worries constantly about her appearance, including the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, as a result of the apprehension that every photograph could be misused to fuel malicious comments.

"The outcome is that she always needs to be careful to her outfits, her posture, no matter what her activities in everyday routine," Auzière informed the judges.

Defendants and Accusations

The defendants, aged 41 to 60, are on trial for internet-based bullying. Some had a small social media following, while the rest were more prominent.

Every defendant is charged with spreading defamatory content about the first lady's identity. In certain cases, this extended to comparing the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.

If convicted, they may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in incarceration.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a family member from Brigitte Macron's initial union, described how the false claims have caused a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She testified, "Hardly a day goes by when an individual avoids discussing this to her."

Auzière emphasized the effects on her relatives, such as her grandchildren learning about false assertions like "Your grandmother is not truthful" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She does not know how to end it," she testified. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought public attention, and she is constantly experiencing these assaults."

Court Case Context

The Paris trial represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight targeting the false claim that Brigitte Macron is supposedly transgender.

The couple have pursued a case in America for defamation targeting a conservative podcaster who spread the allegation.

The lawsuit states that the allegation is completely false and identifies that the person cited is actually her sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

In court, a few individuals denied the accusations.

• A retired business owner, serving as a local official, asserted he "had no purpose to cause harm" and described his online statements as satirical.
• A fiction writer stated that his social media shares were intended as "humor" and highlighted apprehension that the case could undermine "freedom of expression".
• A third defendant explained he posted information since he thought it was an international matter with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The baseless rumor concerning Brigitte Macron's identity gained traction to some extent because their union has often been a point of interest online.

Brigitte Macron, aged 24 years older than Emmanuel Macron, originally knew the future president when serving as a instructor at his secondary school.

Their relationship developed through the school's theatre programme, and they married in that year, after Brigitte Macron's separation.

Auzière concluded her account by stating that the false claims have created a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for her mother.