False Claims Online Damaged Brigitte Macron's Well-being, Child Informs the Tribunal
Brigitte Macron's child, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a Paris court that misleading allegations online—including the baseless theory that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's daily existence.
She, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a testifier in the trial of ten people allegedly involved in internet-based abuse directed at the first lady.
Impact on Personal Routine
Auzière stated that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, such as her fashion choices to her posture, due to the concern that every photograph could be misused to support negative campaigns.
"The consequence is that she always must be cautious to her outfits, her posture, irrespective of her activities in day-to-day existence," Auzière testified.
Accused Individuals and Accusations
Ten individuals, aged 41 to 60, are facing charges for digital abuse. A few had limited online influence, while several more were better known.
Every defendant is alleged to have posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. In certain cases, this involved linking her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.
If convicted, they may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in incarceration.
Effect on Relatives
Auzière, a family member from her mother's first marriage, described how the inaccurate allegations have caused a "worsening of her well-being" and a "decline of her quality of life".
She said, "Hardly a day passes when a person fails to mention these claims to her."
Auzière emphasized the impact on loved ones, including the younger generation hearing malicious statements like "She is lying" or "She is actually a man".
"She has no idea how to end it," she testified. "She didn't run for election, she never asked for anything, and she is permanently experiencing these attacks."
Judicial Proceedings Context
The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a broader legal battle addressing the inaccurate allegation that she was a man.
They have initiated a US lawsuit for defamation against a political commentator who promoted the allegation.
The legal filing clarifies that the accusation is completely false and identifies that the person cited is really Brigitte Macron's brother.
Trial Testimonies
Throughout the proceedings, a few individuals disputed the charges.
- One defendant, holding a public position, asserted he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and referred to his posts as humorous.
- A well-known publicist stated that his social media shares were meant to be "humor" and voiced worry that the case could threaten "free speech".
- An art gallery owner testified he posted content because he felt it was an international matter with "impact on the nation".
Past Context
The baseless rumor concerning the first lady's sex circulated to some extent because their union has frequently been a point of interest online.
The first lady, who is 24 years older than Emmanuel Macron, first met the future president when she was a instructor at the institution he attended.
Their bond evolved through theatrical projects, and they wed in 2007, following Brigitte Macron's divorce.
She finished her statement by saying that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "storm that continues endlessly" for the first lady.