🔗 Share this article

Brigitte Macron's daughter, her daughter, testified to a judicial body in Paris that misleading allegations online—among them the groundless claim that she was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a attorney, served as a witness in the trial of a group of defendants allegedly involved in online harassment directed at her mother.

Impact on Daily Life

Auzière testified that Brigitte Macron now is always concerned about how she looks, from her attire to her posture, due to the apprehension that each snapshot might be misused to advance malicious comments.

"The result is that she always needs to be careful to her clothing, how she holds herself, no matter what she's doing in her daily life," she told the court.

Those on Trial and Accusations

Ten individuals, aged 41 to 60, are on trial for online harassment. Some had modest digital reach, while several more were more prominent.

Every defendant is charged with posting harmful statements about the first lady's identity. For some, this included comparing the age gap with her husband to hurtful comparisons.

Upon being found guilty, they may be sentenced to up to two years in jail.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a family member from her mother's initial union, stated how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "decline of her well-being" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".

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

She emphasized the impact on loved ones, including the younger generation being exposed to malicious statements like "She is deceptive" or "She was born male".

"She does not know what to do about it," she remarked. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought anything, and she is permanently subjected to these attacks."

Legal Battle Context

The Paris trial is part of an ongoing effort in a broader legal battle targeting the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron was a man.

The couple have initiated a case in America alleging slander against a political commentator who promoted the claim.

The legal filing clarifies that the claim is entirely inaccurate and points out that the name mentioned is actually her older brother.

Defendants' Responses

Throughout the proceedings, a few individuals rejected the allegations.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, claimed he "never intended to inflict damage" and referred to his posts as satirical.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his posts were intended as "satire" and highlighted apprehension that the case could undermine "free speech".
• A third defendant explained he disseminated content because he felt it was a global issue with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The baseless rumor concerning Brigitte Macron's gender gained traction partly because the Macrons' relationship has often been a point of interest on the internet.

She, being two decades older than her husband, first met him when she was a teacher at his school.

Their relationship developed through theatrical projects, and they married in the following year, following Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

She wrapped up her statement by expressing that the false claims have created a "storm that does not cease" for her mother.