False Assertions on Social Media Damaged Brigitte Macron's Quality of Life, Child Testifies to the Tribunal
Brigitte Macron's daughter, her daughter, has told a judicial body in Paris that misleading allegations circulating on the internet—among them the baseless theory that she had a male birth identity—have severely damaged her mother's quality of life.
She, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a testifier in the legal proceedings of ten people facing charges for online harassment directed at Brigitte Macron.
Impact on Daily Life
Auzière stated that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, such as the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, as a result of the apprehension that every photograph could be manipulated to support negative campaigns.
"The result is that she constantly needs to be careful to what she wears, her body language, irrespective of her actions in day-to-day existence," she told the court.
Accused Individuals and Accusations
The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for digital abuse. Several had a small social media following, while the rest were better known.
All is accused of spreading defamatory content about the first lady's personal life. Among them, this included linking the age gap with the French president to offensive labels.
If convicted, they face up to two years in jail.
Effect on Relatives
Auzière, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, stated how the false claims have caused a "decline of her health" and a "decline of her daily happiness".
She explained, "Hardly a day passes when someone avoids discussing the issue to her."
She emphasized the impact on her relatives, for example the kids hearing false assertions like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "She is your grandfather".
"She is unsure how to stop it," she remarked. "She didn't run for election, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is continually facing these attacks."
Court Case Background
The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a extended court case targeting the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron is a man.
The Macrons have pursued a US lawsuit alleging slander involving a political commentator who promoted the claim.
The legal filing states that the claim is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the person cited is actually her sibling.
Defendants' Responses
During the trial, several defendants disputed the charges.
- A retired business owner, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and described his social media content as satirical.
- A well-known publicist stated that his social media shares were meant to be "irony" and voiced worry that the legal action could undermine "freedom of expression".
- A third defendant said he posted posts as he believed it was an international matter with "consequences for France".
Personal History
The baseless rumor about Brigitte Macron's identity spread partly because the Macrons' relationship has often been a subject of discussion on the internet.
Brigitte Macron, aged two decades older than her husband, first met the future president when working as a instructor at the institution he attended.
Their bond evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they married in the following year, following her divorce.
Auzière finished her testimony by expressing that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "storm that does not cease" for the first lady.