Inaccurate Claims on the Internet Negatively Impacted Brigitte Macron's Daily Life, Child Tells Judges

Brigitte Macron's daughter, her daughter, has told a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions online—among them the baseless theory that she was born a man—have significantly harmed her mother's quality of life.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a testifier in the legal proceedings of 10 individuals allegedly involved in online harassment targeting the first lady.

Impact on Daily Life

Auzière testified that her mother now is always concerned about her demeanor, from her fashion choices to the way she carries herself, because of the concern that every photograph may be manipulated to support malicious comments.

"The result is that she systematically needs to be careful to her clothing, how she holds herself, regardless of her actions in her daily life," Auzière testified.

Those on Trial and Allegations

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for internet-based bullying. Several had modest digital reach, while several more were more visible.

Every defendant is accused of spreading defamatory content about the first lady's personal life. In certain cases, this involved linking the age gap with the French president to inappropriate terms.

Upon being found guilty, they could receive as much as 24 months in jail.

Family Impact

She, a family member from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, stated how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "decline of her quality of life".

She testified, "Scarcely a day passes when a person does not talk these claims to her."

Auzière emphasized the impact on loved ones, such as the kids learning about hurtful comments like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "She was born male".

"She is unsure how to stop it," she remarked. "She holds no office, she has not sought any of this, and she is constantly subjected to these attacks."

Legal Battle Context

This case represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight against the inaccurate allegation that she is transgender.

They have initiated a US lawsuit alleging slander against a conservative podcaster who amplified the theory.

The legal filing states that the accusation is completely false and notes that the name mentioned is actually her older brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

During the trial, a few individuals rejected the accusations.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, stated he "did not mean to cause harm" and described his online statements as ironic.
• A fiction writer stated that his social media shares were intended as "satire" and expressed concern that the trial could threaten "the right to speak freely".
• Another individual said he disseminated content since he thought it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The baseless rumor about the first lady's gender circulated to some extent because their marriage has long been a point of interest online.

Brigitte Macron, who is two decades older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered Emmanuel Macron when she was a instructor at his secondary school.

The connection between them grew through theatrical projects, and they wed in 2007, after her divorce.

She finished her testimony by expressing that the baseless rumors have created a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for the first lady.