Misleading Claims on Social Media Harmed Brigitte Macron's Daily Life, Daughter Testifies to Court

The French first lady's child, her daughter, has told a Paris court that false claims spread through social media—among them the groundless claim that the French first lady was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's daily existence.

She, a legal professional, served as a testifier in the court case of a group of defendants allegedly involved in internet-based abuse targeting the first lady.

Impact on Daily Life

She stated that her mother now is always concerned about how she looks, from the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, because of the apprehension that any image may be distorted to support malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she constantly must be cautious to her outfits, how she holds herself, regardless of her actions in everyday routine," she informed the judges.

Those on Trial and Charges

The defendants, in that age range, are in court for internet-based bullying. Some had limited online influence, while several more were more prominent.

Each one is alleged to have posting harmful statements about the first lady's identity. For some, this included equating the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to hurtful comparisons.

If convicted, they may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in incarceration.

Family Impact

Auzière, one of three children from her mother's previous marriage, described how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "worsening of her well-being" and a "worsening of her overall existence".

She explained, "Not a day goes by when an individual avoids discussing the issue to her."

She emphasized the effects on her relatives, including the younger generation learning about false assertions like "Your grandmother is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She has no idea what to do about it," she stated. "She holds no office, she has not sought any of this, and she is continually experiencing this abuse."

Judicial Proceedings Background

The Paris trial is part of an ongoing effort in a wider judicial fight targeting the false claim that the first lady was a man.

The couple have also filed a case in America for defamation involving a political commentator who amplified the theory.

The legal filing clarifies that the claim is completely false and identifies that the person cited is in fact her brother.

Trial Testimonies

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

• An individual, serving as a local official, claimed he "never intended to hurt anyone" and referred to his social media content as ironic.
• Another defendant stated that his posts were meant to be "humor" and voiced worry that the case could endanger "the right to speak freely".
• An art gallery owner said he shared information since he thought it was a global issue with "impact on the nation".

Personal History

The baseless rumor concerning Brigitte Macron's identity gained traction to some extent because their marriage has frequently been a point of interest online.

The first lady, aged significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, first met the future president when she was a instructor at his school.

Their bond grew through the school's theatre programme, and they married in that year, subsequent to her separation.

Auzière finished her testimony by saying that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "chaos that never stops" for Brigitte Macron.