False Claims on the Internet Harmed Brigitte Macron's Well-being, Daughter Informs the Tribunal

Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions spread through social media—such as the groundless claim that Brigitte Macron had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a attorney, served as a testifier in the court case of 10 individuals accused of internet-based abuse targeting her mother.

Effects on Daily Life

She testified that Brigitte Macron now worries constantly about how she looks, such as her fashion choices to the way she carries herself, due to the concern that each snapshot could be misused to fuel malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she systematically needs to be careful to her outfits, her body language, regardless of her actions in everyday routine," she testified.

Accused Individuals and Allegations

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for online harassment. A few had a small social media following, while the rest were more prominent.

Every defendant is charged with spreading defamatory content about the first lady's identity. For some, this included equating the age gap with her husband to hurtful comparisons.

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

Family Impact

Auzière, a family member from her mother's first marriage, explained how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "worsening of her well-being" and a "decline of her daily happiness".

She testified, "Hardly a day goes by when an individual does not talk the issue to her."

Auzière pointed out the impact on her relatives, for example her grandchildren being exposed to malicious statements like "She is lying" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She does not know how to stop it," she stated. "She's not elected, she never asked for any of this, and she is permanently subjected to this abuse."

Court Case Background

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a broader legal battle addressing the false claim that Brigitte Macron is supposedly transgender.

They have also filed a US lawsuit alleging slander against a political commentator who promoted the theory.

The lawsuit states that the allegation is entirely inaccurate and points out that the name mentioned is actually her brother.

Trial Testimonies

In court, some of the accused disputed the accusations.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, asserted he "never intended to hurt anyone" and described his social media content as ironic.
• A fiction writer claimed that his online activity were presented as "irony" and voiced worry that the trial could endanger "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant explained he disseminated content since he thought it was a global issue with "consequences for France".

Personal History

The baseless rumor about the first lady's identity circulated partly because their union has often been a point of interest in digital spaces.

Brigitte Macron, being two decades older than Emmanuel Macron, originally knew him when working as a teacher at his school.

Their relationship grew through drama activities, and they wed in the following year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

She wrapped up her account by stating that the false claims have caused a "storm that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.