🔗 Share this article

The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, testified to a judicial body in Paris that false claims spread through social media—including the groundless claim that she is transgender—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a witness in the trial of 10 individuals accused of internet-based abuse targeting her mother.

Impact on Daily Life

Auzière stated that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, such as the clothes she wears to her posture, as a result of the concern that each snapshot might be misused to advance hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she constantly needs to be careful to her outfits, her body language, no matter what she's doing in her daily life," Auzière told the court.

Defendants and Charges

Eight men and two women, in that age range, are in court for online harassment. Some had limited online influence, while the rest were more visible.

All is charged with spreading defamatory content about the first lady's personal life. For some, this included linking the age gap with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

Upon being found guilty, they may be sentenced to as much as 24 months in incarceration.

Family Impact

Auzière, a family member from her mother's previous marriage, explained how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "decline of her overall existence".

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

She pointed out the repercussions on the family, including the kids learning about false assertions like "Brigitte is lying" or "She is actually a man".

"She does not know how to stop it," she testified. "She holds no office, she never asked for any of this, and she is constantly facing these attacks."

Court Case History

The Paris trial is part of an ongoing effort in a broader legal battle addressing the false claim that Brigitte Macron is supposedly male.

The Macrons have initiated a legal action in the United States for defamation targeting a political commentator who amplified the claim.

The legal filing clarifies that the allegation is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the name mentioned is in fact Brigitte Macron's older brother.

Defendants' Responses

During the trial, several defendants rejected the charges.

• An individual, holding a public position, stated he "did not mean to cause harm" and referred to his social media content as satirical.
• A fiction writer claimed that his online activity were intended as "humor" and highlighted apprehension that the trial could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner testified he disseminated content because he felt it was a global issue with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The baseless rumor about Brigitte Macron's identity circulated partly because their union has frequently been a point of interest online.

Brigitte Macron, who is 24 years older than the president, originally knew Emmanuel Macron when serving as a instructor at his school.

The connection between them grew through theatrical projects, and they entered into marriage in the following year, after her divorce.

She concluded her testimony by saying that the false claims have produced a "storm that does not cease" for Brigitte Macron.