🔗 Share this article

The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a judicial body in Paris that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—including the groundless claim that Brigitte Macron 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 facing charges for internet-based abuse against the first lady.

Impact on Daily Life

She stated that the first lady now is always concerned about her appearance, including her fashion choices to the way she carries herself, because of the fear that each snapshot may be distorted to support malicious comments.

"The outcome is that she constantly has to pay attention to what she wears, how she holds herself, regardless of her activities in her daily life," she told the court.

Defendants and Accusations

Eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60, are on trial for digital abuse. A few had limited online influence, while the rest were more prominent.

All is accused of spreading defamatory content about the first lady's gender and sexuality. In certain cases, this extended to linking her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.

If found responsible, they could receive as much as 24 months in jail.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, one of three children from her mother's initial union, explained how the false claims have resulted in a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "deterioration of her quality of life".

She explained, "Scarcely a day goes by when someone fails to mention the issue to her."

She pointed out the impact on the family, such as the younger generation being exposed to hurtful comments like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She has no idea how to stop it," Auzière testified. "She holds no office, she didn't pursue public attention, and she is permanently subjected to these assaults."

Legal Battle Background

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a extended court case against the inaccurate allegation that Brigitte Macron is transgender.

They have initiated a US lawsuit for defamation involving a political commentator who amplified the theory.

The lawsuit clarifies that the accusation is totally unfounded and identifies that the individual referenced is really Brigitte Macron's older brother.

Defendants' Responses

During the trial, a few individuals denied the charges.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, stated he "never intended to inflict damage" and referred to his online statements as humorous.
• Another defendant claimed that his posts were intended as "irony" and highlighted apprehension that the trial could undermine "free speech".
• An art gallery owner explained he shared content because he felt it was an international matter with "consequences for France".

Personal History

The baseless rumor regarding Brigitte Macron's identity circulated in part because the Macrons' relationship has long been a subject of discussion online.

She, being two decades older than Emmanuel Macron, originally knew Emmanuel Macron when she was a instructor at the institution he attended.

Their relationship developed through drama activities, and they entered into marriage in the following year, after Brigitte Macron's separation.

Auzière finished her account by stating that the baseless rumors have created a "chaos that never stops" for the first lady.