🔗 Share this article

Brigitte Macron's child, her daughter, has told a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations online—such as the unfounded rumor that she had a male birth identity—have severely damaged her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a testifier in the court case of a group of defendants accused of digital bullying directed at Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Personal Routine

Auzière stated that her mother now worries constantly about her appearance, from the clothes she wears to her posture, as a result of the apprehension that every photograph might be distorted to fuel malicious comments.

"The result is that she systematically has to pay attention to what she wears, her posture, no matter what her actions in day-to-day existence," she told the court.

Accused Individuals and Charges

Eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60, are on trial for online harassment. Some had modest digital reach, while others were more prominent.

All is alleged to have spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. For some, this included comparing the disparity in years with her husband to offensive labels.

If convicted, they face a maximum of two years in prison.

Consequences for Loved Ones

Auzière, a family member from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, explained how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She said, "Scarcely a day passes when a person fails to mention these claims to her."

Auzière emphasized the effects on loved ones, for example the kids learning about malicious statements like "She is not truthful" 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 public attention, and she is permanently experiencing these attacks."

Legal Battle Background

The Paris trial represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight addressing the false claim that she is supposedly male.

The couple have pursued a legal action in the United States for defamation involving a political commentator who amplified the allegation.

The legal filing asserts that the claim is totally unfounded and identifies that the name mentioned is actually Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Trial Testimonies

In court, several defendants denied the accusations.

• An individual, serving as a local official, claimed he "had no purpose to cause harm" and described his posts as satirical.
• A well-known publicist stated that his posts were intended as "irony" and voiced worry that the trial could threaten "freedom of expression".
• A third defendant testified he disseminated information since he thought it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Relationship Background

The false theory about the first lady's sex spread partly because their union has frequently been a topic of comment online.

She, being 24 years older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered him when she was a teacher at the institution he attended.

The connection between them developed through the school's theatre programme, and they married in that year, after Brigitte Macron's divorce.

She finished her testimony by stating that the false claims have created a "chaos that does not cease" for Brigitte Macron.