Misleading Claims Online Negatively Impacted Brigitte Macron's Daily Life, Daughter Tells Court

The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a Paris court that misleading allegations spread through social media—among them the groundless claim that she was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a attorney, was called as a testifier in the court case of ten people accused of digital bullying directed at the first lady.

Consequences on Daily Life

She stated that the first lady now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, from her attire to her posture, due to the fear that each snapshot may be misused to advance negative campaigns.

"The result is that she constantly needs to be careful to her clothing, how she holds herself, regardless of her actions in day-to-day existence," she testified.

Defendants and Accusations

The defendants, in that age range, are facing charges for internet-based bullying. A few had a small social media following, while several more were better known.

Every defendant is accused of spreading defamatory content about the first lady's identity. Among them, this involved linking her age difference with her husband to inappropriate terms.

Upon being found guilty, they face as much as 24 months in incarceration.

Family Impact

She, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, described how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "decline of her health" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".

She said, "Scarcely a day goes by when someone does not talk this to her."

Auzière emphasized the effects on loved ones, including her grandchildren learning about hurtful comments like "Brigitte is lying" or "She was born male".

"She does not know how to stop it," she remarked. "She didn't run for election, she never asked for public attention, and she is constantly experiencing this abuse."

Legal Battle History

The legal proceedings is part of an ongoing effort in a broader legal battle addressing the inaccurate allegation that Brigitte Macron is supposedly a man.

The Macrons have also filed a case in America alleging slander targeting a conservative podcaster who spread the claim.

The lawsuit asserts that the claim is completely false and identifies that the name mentioned is actually her brother.

Defendants' Responses

In court, several defendants denied the charges.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, stated he "never intended to inflict damage" and described his posts as ironic.
• A fiction writer argued that his social media shares were presented as "satire" and expressed concern that the case could threaten "free speech".
• A third defendant explained he disseminated posts because he felt it was a worldwide topic with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The inaccurate claim regarding the first lady's sex spread in part because their union has frequently been a point of interest online.

The first lady, who is significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, first met Emmanuel Macron when she was a educator at the institution he attended.

The connection between them grew through drama activities, and they married in 2007, after Brigitte Macron's separation.

She finished her account by saying that the false claims have produced a "chaos that continues endlessly" for the first lady.