False Claims on the Internet Negatively Impacted Brigitte Macron's Well-being, Child Tells Court

The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, testified to a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations spread through social media—among them the baseless theory that she is transgender—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a legal professional, was called as a witness in the legal proceedings of 10 individuals allegedly involved in digital bullying targeting the first lady.

Impact on Everyday Activities

She explained that Brigitte Macron now is always concerned about how she looks, from her attire to how she stands, because of the fear that each snapshot may be misused to fuel hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she constantly has to pay attention to what she wears, how she holds herself, no matter what her actions in day-to-day existence," Auzière testified.

Those on Trial 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.

All is charged with posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's personal life. For some, this included linking the age gap with the French president to inappropriate terms.

If convicted, they face as much as 24 months in prison.

Family Impact

Auzière, a family member from her mother's initial union, stated how the false claims have resulted in a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness".

She explained, "Hardly a day passes when a person avoids discussing this to her."

Auzière pointed out the effects on loved ones, for example the younger generation learning about hurtful comments like "She is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She does not know how to stop it," Auzière testified. "She's not elected, she never asked for any of this, and she is continually facing this abuse."

Legal Battle Background

The Paris trial is part of an ongoing effort in a wider judicial fight against the false claim that she was transgender.

They have initiated a case in America for defamation involving a political commentator who promoted the theory.

The lawsuit asserts that the accusation is totally unfounded and notes that the name mentioned is really Brigitte Macron's brother.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, some of the accused disputed the allegations.

• An individual, serving as a local official, stated he "did not mean to inflict damage" and described his social media content as satirical.
• Another defendant argued that his social media shares were presented as "satire" and highlighted apprehension that the case could threaten "free speech".
• A third defendant said he shared content since he thought it was a global issue with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The false theory about Brigitte Macron's identity gained traction in part because their union has frequently been a subject of discussion in digital spaces.

Brigitte Macron, aged significantly older than the president, originally knew him when working as a teacher at his secondary school.

The connection between them grew through drama activities, and they wed in the following year, following Brigitte Macron's separation.

She wrapped up her testimony by stating that the baseless rumors have created a "storm that never stops" for the first lady.