🔗 Share this article

Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations online—such as the groundless claim that she was born a man—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a legal professional, was called as a testifier in the trial of ten people allegedly involved in online harassment against the first lady.

Effects on Everyday Activities

She explained that the first lady now is always concerned about her appearance, from her fashion choices to how she stands, due to the fear that each snapshot may be manipulated to fuel hateful attacks.

"The result is that she always must be cautious to her clothing, how she holds herself, irrespective of her actions in everyday routine," she testified.

Those on Trial and Charges

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for online harassment. A few had a small social media following, while others were more prominent.

All is alleged to have posting harmful statements about the first lady's gender and sexuality. For some, this involved comparing the age gap with her husband to inappropriate terms.

If convicted, they may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in incarceration.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, explained how the false claims have resulted in a "decline of her health" and a "worsening of her overall existence".

She said, "Scarcely a day passes when an individual fails to mention this to her."

She emphasized the effects on the family, for example the younger generation being exposed to malicious statements like "She is not truthful" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She is unsure how to stop it," she stated. "She didn't run for election, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is constantly subjected to these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings History

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a wider judicial fight targeting the baseless theory that the first lady was male.

The Macrons have pursued a US lawsuit over false statements involving a political commentator who spread the theory.

The legal filing clarifies that the claim is totally unfounded and identifies that the name mentioned is really her sibling.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, a few individuals denied the charges.

• A retired business owner, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "did not mean to cause harm" and described his online statements as satirical.
• Another defendant claimed that his social media shares were meant to be "satire" and expressed concern that the legal action could threaten "freedom of expression".
• An art gallery owner explained he disseminated information because he felt it was a global issue with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The baseless rumor regarding the first lady's sex spread in part because their union has frequently been a point of interest in digital spaces.

The first lady, who is significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered him when she was a instructor at his secondary school.

The connection between them developed through drama activities, and they married in the following year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's separation.

Auzière finished her testimony by stating that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "chaos that never stops" for her mother.