🔗 Share this article

Brigitte Macron's child, her daughter, has told a Paris court that false claims online—including the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a witness in the trial of ten people allegedly involved in online harassment targeting her mother.

Effects on Daily Life

She stated that her mother now is always concerned about how she looks, from her attire to the way she carries herself, as a result of the fear that each snapshot might be distorted to support malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she always must be cautious to her clothing, how she holds herself, regardless of she's doing in everyday routine," Auzière told the court.

Accused Individuals and Charges

Eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60, are in court for internet-based bullying. Some had modest digital reach, while others were more visible.

All is charged with making malicious comments about the first lady's gender and sexuality. Among them, this extended to equating the disparity in years with her husband to offensive labels.

Upon being found guilty, they face a maximum of two years in incarceration.

Family Impact

Auzière, a family member from her mother's previous marriage, stated how the inaccurate allegations have caused a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".

She testified, "Scarcely a day passes when someone avoids discussing these claims to her."

Auzière emphasized the impact on her relatives, for example her grandchildren learning about false assertions like "Your grandmother is not truthful" or "She is your grandfather".

"She does not know how to end it," she testified. "She's not elected, she has not sought any of this, and she is permanently facing these assaults."

Legal Battle Context

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a broader legal battle against the false claim that she is supposedly transgender.

They have pursued a legal action in the United States over false statements against a conservative podcaster who amplified the theory.

The lawsuit asserts that the accusation is totally unfounded and notes that the person cited is really her sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, some of the accused rejected the charges.

• An individual, serving as a local official, asserted he "never intended to hurt anyone" and referred to his online statements as ironic.
• Another defendant stated that his social media shares were intended as "irony" and expressed concern that the legal action could threaten "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner testified he disseminated content because he felt it was an international matter with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The false theory concerning the first lady's identity circulated to some extent because their union has frequently been a point of interest in digital spaces.

Brigitte Macron, aged significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered him when serving as a educator at his secondary school.

The connection between them grew through drama activities, and they entered into marriage in 2007, following Brigitte Macron's separation.

She wrapped up her account by expressing that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.