🔗 Share this article

Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a Paris court that misleading allegations spread through social media—including the baseless theory that she is transgender—have negatively impacted her mother's personal well-being.

She, a attorney, appeared as a testifier in the trial of ten people facing charges for internet-based abuse against her mother.

Consequences on Daily Life

Auzière testified that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, from the clothes she wears to her posture, due to the concern that every photograph may be distorted to fuel hateful attacks.

"The consequence is that she constantly needs to be careful to what she wears, her body language, irrespective of her activities in her daily life," she informed the judges.

Defendants and Allegations

Ten individuals, between 41 and 60 years old, are on trial for internet-based bullying. A few had a small social media following, while several more were more visible.

Each one is accused of posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's identity. In certain cases, this included equating the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels.

If found responsible, they could receive a maximum of two years in jail.

Family Impact

Auzière, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, stated how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "deterioration of her physical state" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".

She testified, "Not a day goes by when a person avoids discussing this to her."

She highlighted the repercussions on loved ones, including the younger generation being exposed to hurtful comments like "She is lying" or "She is your grandfather".

"She has no idea how to stop it," she testified. "She didn't run for election, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is permanently subjected to these assaults."

Court Case History

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a extended court case against the inaccurate allegation that she is supposedly a man.

They have pursued a legal action in the United States alleging slander involving a media personality who spread the theory.

The legal filing clarifies that the claim is entirely inaccurate and points out that the person cited is really her brother.

Accused Individuals' Statements

Throughout the proceedings, a few individuals denied the allegations.

• An individual, serving as a local official, claimed he "did not mean to cause harm" and described his social media content as humorous.
• A well-known publicist claimed that his online activity were presented as "humor" and highlighted apprehension that the trial could undermine "the right to speak freely".
• A third defendant testified he shared content because he felt it was a global issue with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The baseless rumor regarding the first lady's sex gained traction to some extent because their marriage has long been a subject of discussion online.

She, being 24 years older than the president, initially encountered Emmanuel Macron when she was a teacher at his secondary school.

Their bond evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they married in 2007, following her marriage dissolution.

Auzière concluded her account by expressing that the baseless rumors have produced a "chaos that does not cease" for her mother.