🔗 Share this article

Brigitte Macron's child, her daughter, informed a tribunal in Paris that false claims circulating on the internet—including the unfounded rumor that the French first lady is transgender—have negatively impacted her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a attorney, served as a testifier in the trial of 10 individuals accused of internet-based abuse directed at Brigitte Macron.

Impact on Personal Routine

She stated that Brigitte Macron now is always concerned about her demeanor, including her attire to her posture, due to the fear that any image might be manipulated to fuel hateful attacks.

"The result is that she always has to pay attention to her outfits, her posture, no matter what her activities in her daily life," Auzière testified.

Defendants and Accusations

Eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60, are facing charges for online harassment. Several had modest digital reach, while several more were more visible.

Each one is alleged to have posting harmful statements about the first lady's personal life. For some, this extended to linking her age difference with the French president to offensive labels.

If found responsible, they may be sentenced to as much as 24 months in prison.

Family Impact

Auzière, a daughter from her mother's initial union, stated how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "worsening of her overall existence".

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

Auzière highlighted the repercussions on loved ones, such as her grandchildren learning about malicious statements like "She is not truthful" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She does not know what to do about it," Auzière testified. "She didn't run for election, she didn't pursue anything, and she is permanently facing this abuse."

Court Case Background

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight against the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron is supposedly transgender.

The couple have also filed a case in America alleging slander against a media personality who spread the allegation.

The legal filing asserts that the accusation is completely false and identifies that the individual referenced is really Brigitte Macron's brother.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, several defendants denied the allegations.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, claimed he "had no purpose to hurt anyone" and described his social media content as humorous.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his posts were intended as "humor" and highlighted apprehension that the case could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant testified he posted content since he thought it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Relationship Background

The inaccurate claim regarding Brigitte Macron's gender gained traction to some extent because their union has frequently been a point of interest in digital spaces.

Brigitte Macron, being two decades older than her husband, initially encountered him when working as a teacher at his secondary school.

The connection between them developed through theatrical projects, and they married in the following year, following Brigitte Macron's separation.

Auzière concluded her statement by expressing that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "whirlwind that does not cease" for the first lady.