🔗 Share this article

The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a Paris court that inaccurate assertions spread through social media—including the baseless theory that she had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a legal professional, served as a witness in the court case of 10 individuals accused of internet-based abuse directed at the first lady.

Impact on Personal Routine

She stated that the first lady now is always concerned about her appearance, such as her attire to the way she carries herself, as a result of the apprehension that every photograph could be distorted to fuel malicious comments.

"The result is that she systematically has to pay attention to her outfits, her body language, regardless of she's doing in day-to-day existence," Auzière told the court.

Those on Trial and Allegations

The defendants, in that age range, are in court for internet-based bullying. Several had modest digital reach, while the rest were better known.

Every defendant is alleged to have posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. Among them, this included equating the age gap with her husband to hurtful comparisons.

Upon being found guilty, they could receive as much as 24 months in incarceration.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, one of three children from her mother's initial union, described how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "worsening of her physical state" and a "worsening of her quality of life".

She testified, "Scarcely a day goes by when an individual does not talk this to her."

She highlighted the repercussions on her relatives, for example the younger generation learning about false assertions like "She is not truthful" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She has no idea how to stop it," Auzière remarked. "She didn't run for election, she never asked for public attention, and she is permanently subjected to this abuse."

Court Case Context

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a extended court case addressing the inaccurate allegation that the first lady was male.

The couple have pursued a legal action in the United States for defamation targeting a conservative podcaster who spread the allegation.

The lawsuit clarifies that the allegation is completely false and notes that the person cited is actually Brigitte Macron's brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

In court, several defendants rejected the charges.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, stated he "did not mean to cause harm" and referred to his posts as humorous.
• A fiction writer stated that his social media shares were presented as "satire" and highlighted apprehension that the case could undermine "freedom of expression".
• An art gallery owner testified he posted posts since he thought it was a global issue with "consequences for France".

Personal History

The false theory concerning Brigitte Macron's gender circulated partly because their marriage has long been a topic of comment in digital spaces.

The first lady, who is two decades older than her husband, initially encountered Emmanuel Macron when serving as a teacher at his secondary school.

Their bond developed through theatrical projects, and they married in 2007, after Brigitte Macron's divorce.

She finished her account by expressing that the inaccurate allegations have created a "chaos that does not cease" for Brigitte Macron.