🔗 Share this article Misleading Assertions on Social Media Damaged Brigitte Macron's Daily Life, Daughter Tells the Tribunal Brigitte Macron's child, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a Paris court that misleading allegations online—including the groundless claim that Brigitte Macron had a male birth identity—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life. Auzière, a legal professional, appeared as a witness in the trial of 10 individuals allegedly involved in online harassment against the first lady. Consequences on Everyday Activities Auzière stated that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about her demeanor, from her fashion choices to her posture, because of the fear that each snapshot may be misused to advance hateful attacks. "The outcome is that she constantly has to pay attention to her clothing, how she holds herself, irrespective of she's doing in everyday routine," she told the court. Accused Individuals and Accusations Ten individuals, between 41 and 60 years old, are on trial for digital abuse. A few had a small social media following, while the rest were better known. Each one is charged with spreading defamatory content about Brigitte Macron's identity. Among them, this included comparing her age difference with the French president to inappropriate terms. If convicted, they face up to two years in incarceration. Family Impact She, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, stated how the baseless rumors have caused a "decline of her health" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness". She testified, "Scarcely a day goes by when someone avoids discussing the issue to her." She emphasized the impact on her relatives, such as the younger generation learning about hurtful comments like "Brigitte is lying" or "She is actually a man". "She has no idea what to do about it," Auzière stated. "She didn't run for election, she never asked for public attention, and she is continually experiencing this abuse." Legal Battle Background The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight against the false claim that the first lady is a man. The Macrons have pursued a US lawsuit over false statements targeting a media personality who amplified the allegation. The legal filing states that the accusation is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the individual referenced is actually Brigitte Macron's brother. Accused Individuals' Statements Throughout the proceedings, several defendants rejected the charges. An individual, serving as a local official, stated he "did not mean to hurt anyone" and described his posts as satirical. Another defendant argued that his posts were intended as "irony" and expressed concern that the trial could endanger "the right to speak freely". An art gallery owner explained he shared content as he believed it was a global issue with "consequences for France". Relationship Background The baseless rumor about the first lady's sex gained traction in part because their marriage has frequently been a subject of discussion online. Brigitte Macron, being two decades older than Emmanuel Macron, originally knew the future president when serving as a instructor at his secondary school. The connection between them evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they entered into marriage in 2007, after her marriage dissolution. Auzière finished her statement by saying that the false claims have produced a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.