Misleading Assertions on the Internet Damaged Brigitte Macron's Well-being, Daughter Testifies to the Tribunal

The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—including the groundless claim that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a legal professional, served as a testifier in the legal proceedings of 10 individuals accused of internet-based abuse directed at her mother.

Impact on Personal Routine

Auzière stated that Brigitte Macron now is always concerned about her demeanor, including her fashion choices to how she stands, as a result of the fear that every photograph could be distorted to advance negative campaigns.

"The outcome is that she constantly must be cautious to her outfits, how she holds herself, regardless of she's doing in day-to-day existence," she informed the judges.

Defendants and Allegations

Eight men and two women, in that age range, are facing charges for online harassment. A few had limited online influence, while the rest were better known.

Each one is charged with making malicious comments about the first lady's gender and sexuality. Among them, this involved comparing her age difference with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

If convicted, they face up to two years in incarceration.

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, a family member from her mother's previous marriage, stated how the false claims have led to a "decline of her physical state" and a "worsening of her quality of life".

She said, "Scarcely a day passes when a person fails to mention the issue to her."

She emphasized the effects on the family, for example her grandchildren being exposed to false assertions like "Your grandmother is lying" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She has no idea what to do about it," Auzière remarked. "She's not elected, she never asked for public attention, and she is constantly experiencing these attacks."

Judicial Proceedings Background

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a extended court case targeting the false claim that Brigitte Macron is a man.

They have initiated a US lawsuit over false statements targeting a political commentator who amplified the theory.

The case asserts that the accusation is completely false and points out that the name mentioned is really Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, some of the accused denied the allegations.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "did not mean to cause harm" and described his posts as satirical.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his social media shares were meant to be "irony" and highlighted apprehension that the trial could threaten "free speech".
• A third defendant explained he shared information as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Relationship Background

The inaccurate claim concerning the first lady's identity gained traction to some extent because their union has frequently been a topic of comment on the internet.

The first lady, aged two decades older than the president, first met the future president when she was a instructor at his school.

Their relationship evolved through drama activities, and they married in that year, after Brigitte Macron's separation.

She concluded her testimony by expressing that the baseless rumors have caused a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for the first lady.