Inaccurate Claims Online Damaged Brigitte Macron's Daily Life, Child Informs the Tribunal
The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a judicial body in Paris that inaccurate assertions online—among them the baseless theory that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.
She, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a witness in the court case of ten people allegedly involved in online harassment against her mother.
Effects on Personal Routine
Auzière explained that the first lady now worries constantly about her appearance, including her attire to the way she carries herself, due to the fear that each snapshot might be distorted to support hateful attacks.
"The outcome is that she always needs to be careful to what she wears, how she holds herself, regardless of she's doing in her daily life," Auzière informed the judges.
Accused Individuals and Charges
Ten individuals, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for online harassment. Several had limited online influence, while others were better known.
Every defendant is accused of making malicious comments about the first lady's personal life. In certain cases, this extended to comparing the age gap with her husband to offensive labels.
If found responsible, they may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in jail.
Family Impact
She, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, explained how the false claims have resulted in a "worsening of her physical state" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".
She testified, "Not a day goes by when a person fails to mention the issue to her."
She pointed out the effects on loved ones, for example her grandchildren learning about false assertions like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "She is your grandfather".
"She is unsure what to do about it," she remarked. "She holds no office, she has not sought any of this, and she is constantly experiencing this abuse."
Judicial Proceedings Background
This case is the latest phase in a broader legal battle addressing the inaccurate allegation that Brigitte Macron is a man.
The Macrons have initiated a US lawsuit for defamation involving a media personality who spread the allegation.
The legal filing clarifies that the accusation is completely false and identifies that the individual referenced is in fact Brigitte Macron's brother.
Accused Individuals' Statements
Throughout the proceedings, several defendants denied the accusations.
- A retired business owner, serving as a local official, stated he "did not mean to hurt anyone" and referred to his online statements as satirical.
- A well-known publicist argued that his posts were intended as "irony" and expressed concern that the trial could endanger "the right to speak freely".
- An art gallery owner said he shared content because he felt it was a global issue with "consequences for France".
Personal History
The inaccurate claim concerning the first lady's sex spread in part because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a subject of discussion on the internet.
The first lady, being two decades older than the president, originally knew the future president when serving as a teacher at his secondary school.
Their bond grew through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in the following year, after her marriage dissolution.
She concluded her account by stating that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "storm that does not cease" for the first lady.