🔗 Share this article

Brigitte Macron's child, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions spread through social media—among them the baseless theory that she was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

Auzière, a attorney, was called as a witness in the legal proceedings of ten people accused of internet-based abuse directed at her mother.

Effects on Everyday Activities

Auzière explained that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about her demeanor, from her fashion choices to the way she carries herself, due to the fear that every photograph may be distorted to fuel malicious comments.

"The outcome is that she always needs to be careful to her outfits, her body language, irrespective of she's doing in everyday routine," Auzière testified.

Those on Trial and Allegations

Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are facing charges for internet-based bullying. Several had limited online influence, while others were more prominent.

Every defendant is charged with making malicious comments about the first lady's identity. Among them, this extended to linking the age gap with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

Upon being found guilty, they face as much as 24 months in incarceration.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a family member from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, explained how the inaccurate allegations have resulted in a "decline of her well-being" and a "worsening of her overall existence".

She said, "Not a day passes when someone fails to mention this to her."

Auzière emphasized the effects on her relatives, such as the kids being exposed to false assertions like "She is deceptive" or "She is actually a man".

"She has no idea how to end it," she stated. "She didn't run for election, she didn't pursue anything, and she is continually subjected to these attacks."

Judicial Proceedings Background

This case represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight addressing the inaccurate allegation that the first lady is supposedly a man.

The couple have initiated a case in America over false statements targeting a media personality who promoted the theory.

The legal filing states that the allegation is totally unfounded and identifies that the name mentioned is in fact Brigitte Macron's older brother.

Trial Testimonies

Throughout the proceedings, a few individuals disputed the charges.

• One defendant, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "did not mean to cause harm" and referred to his online statements as ironic.
• A well-known publicist stated that his social media shares were intended as "humor" and expressed concern that the trial could threaten "free speech".
• An art gallery owner explained he posted information since he thought it was an international matter with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The inaccurate claim about Brigitte Macron's identity circulated to some extent because their union has frequently been a topic of comment online.

Brigitte Macron, aged significantly older than the president, initially encountered him when working as a educator at his school.

Their relationship grew through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in that year, after her marriage dissolution.

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