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

Brigitte Macron's child, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—including the baseless theory that she had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's daily existence.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a witness in the court case of ten people allegedly involved in digital bullying against her mother.

Impact on Personal Routine

She explained that the first lady now worries constantly about her appearance, from her fashion choices to the way she carries herself, because of the apprehension that every photograph may be manipulated to support negative campaigns.

"The consequence is that she constantly needs to be careful to her clothing, her posture, no matter what her activities in day-to-day existence," she informed the judges.

Defendants and Accusations

Ten individuals, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for internet-based bullying. Some had a small social media following, while the rest were more visible.

All is charged with posting harmful statements about the first lady's identity. Among them, this extended to equating the disparity in years with her husband to offensive labels.

Upon being found guilty, they could receive up to two years in incarceration.

Family Impact

She, one of three children from her mother's previous marriage, described how the baseless rumors have caused a "deterioration of her health" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

She explained, "Hardly a day passes when someone fails to mention these claims to her."

She emphasized the impact on her relatives, such as her grandchildren hearing malicious statements like "Brigitte is lying" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She has no idea what to do about it," she testified. "She holds no office, she didn't pursue anything, and she is constantly subjected to these attacks."

Legal Battle Background

This case is the latest phase in a broader legal battle targeting the false claim that the first lady is supposedly a man.

The couple have pursued a legal action in the United States for defamation involving a conservative podcaster who promoted the theory.

The lawsuit clarifies that the accusation is totally unfounded and points out that the person cited is really her brother.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, a few individuals rejected the allegations.

• One defendant, holding a public position, claimed he "never intended to hurt anyone" and described his posts as satirical.
• Another defendant argued that his posts were presented as "satire" and highlighted apprehension that the trial could undermine "free speech".
• An art gallery owner testified he posted content as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The baseless rumor about Brigitte Macron's gender spread in part because their union has often been a topic of comment in digital spaces.

She, aged significantly older than her husband, originally knew him when she was a educator at his secondary school.

Their relationship evolved through drama activities, and they wed in that year, following Brigitte Macron's divorce.

She finished her account by saying that the inaccurate allegations have created a "chaos that never stops" for her mother.