Misleading Assertions on Social Media Damaged Brigitte Macron's Well-being, Child Tells Court
The French first lady's child, her daughter, testified to a judicial body in Paris that misleading allegations spread through social media—including the baseless theory that she had a male birth identity—have severely damaged her mother's daily existence.
Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a witness in the court case of ten people facing charges for online harassment directed at her mother.
Effects on Personal Routine
Auzière testified that the first lady now worries constantly about how she looks, from her fashion choices to the way she carries herself, as a result of the concern that each snapshot could be distorted to advance negative campaigns.
"The result is that she systematically must be cautious to her outfits, her body language, regardless of her actions in her daily life," Auzière informed the judges.
Defendants and Charges
The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are on trial for digital abuse. Some had limited online influence, while the rest were more prominent.
Each one is accused of making malicious comments about the first lady's identity. Among them, this extended to linking the age gap with the French president to offensive labels.
Upon being found guilty, they could receive as much as 24 months in jail.
Effect on Relatives
Auzière, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, explained how the inaccurate allegations have resulted in a "deterioration of her health" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".
She testified, "Not a day goes by when someone avoids discussing this to her."
She highlighted the impact on the family, for example her grandchildren being exposed to malicious statements like "She is lying" or "She is actually a man".
"She does not know how to stop it," Auzière remarked. "She's not elected, she has not sought public attention, and she is constantly subjected to these attacks."
Judicial Proceedings Context
This case is the latest phase in a broader legal battle against the false claim that Brigitte Macron was a man.
They have also filed a case in America alleging slander involving a conservative podcaster who amplified the claim.
The case clarifies that the allegation is completely false and notes that the person cited is actually Brigitte Macron's brother.
Defendants' Responses
Throughout the proceedings, some of the accused denied the charges.
- One defendant, serving as a local official, stated he "did not mean to cause harm" and described his social media content as satirical.
- A well-known publicist argued that his online activity were meant to be "humor" and voiced worry that the legal action could endanger "free speech".
- Another individual explained he shared posts as he believed it was a global issue with "impact on the nation".
Relationship Background
The inaccurate claim about the first lady's sex gained traction in part because their union has frequently been a point of interest in digital spaces.
Brigitte Macron, aged significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, first met the future president when working as a educator at the institution he attended.
Their relationship grew through the school's theatre programme, and they married in 2007, subsequent to her divorce.
She concluded her account by saying that the baseless rumors have caused a "whirlwind that does not cease" for her mother.