🔗 Share this article

Brigitte Macron's child, her daughter, informed a Paris court that inaccurate assertions online—including the unfounded rumor that she was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's daily existence.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a witness in the court case of ten people allegedly involved in internet-based abuse targeting the first lady.

Consequences on Personal Routine

She testified that Brigitte Macron now is always concerned about her appearance, including her fashion choices to how she stands, because of the apprehension that every photograph may be manipulated to advance negative campaigns.

"The consequence is that she always needs to be careful to her clothing, her body language, irrespective of her actions in day-to-day existence," Auzière told the court.

Defendants and Accusations

Ten individuals, between 41 and 60 years old, are on trial for online harassment. Some had a small social media following, while others were more visible.

All is charged with spreading defamatory content about the first lady's personal life. Among them, this included comparing the disparity in years with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

Upon being found guilty, they may be sentenced to as much as 24 months in prison.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a family member from her mother's previous marriage, stated how the false claims have resulted in a "worsening of her well-being" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She testified, "Not a day goes by when an individual does not talk these claims to her."

She emphasized the effects on her relatives, including her grandchildren learning about malicious statements like "Brigitte is lying" or "She was born male".

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

Court Case Context

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight targeting the false claim that Brigitte Macron is supposedly a man.

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

The case asserts that the accusation is completely false and points out that the individual referenced is really her older brother.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, some of the accused denied the charges.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, stated he "did not mean to cause harm" and referred to his online statements as humorous.
• A fiction writer stated that his posts were intended as "humor" and expressed concern that the legal action could undermine "freedom of expression".
• Another individual explained he shared posts since he thought it was a global issue with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The false theory regarding the first lady's sex spread to some extent because their union has frequently been a topic of comment on the internet.

Brigitte Macron, aged two decades older than the president, first met the future president when serving as a educator at his secondary school.

The connection between them evolved through theatrical projects, and they wed in that year, subsequent to her divorce.

Auzière concluded her account by expressing that the baseless rumors have caused a "whirlwind that does not cease" for the first lady.