🔗 Share this article

Brigitte Macron's child, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—including the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron is transgender—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.

She, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a witness in the trial of a group of defendants allegedly involved in online harassment against Brigitte Macron.

Impact on Daily Life

Auzière testified that the first lady now worries constantly about her demeanor, from her fashion choices to her posture, as a result of the apprehension that any image may be distorted to support hateful attacks.

"The consequence is that she always has to pay attention to what she wears, how she holds herself, irrespective of her activities in day-to-day existence," Auzière informed the judges.

Defendants and Allegations

Eight men and two women, in that age range, are facing charges for internet-based bullying. Some had modest digital reach, while several more were more prominent.

Every defendant is charged with posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. Among them, this included equating the disparity in years with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

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

Family Impact

Auzière, a family member from Brigitte Macron's initial union, described how the inaccurate allegations have caused a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "deterioration of her quality of life".

She testified, "Scarcely a day goes by when a person fails to mention this to her."

She emphasized the impact on her relatives, such as the younger generation learning about malicious statements like "Brigitte is lying" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She has no idea how to stop it," she stated. "She holds no office, she has not sought any of this, and she is constantly experiencing this abuse."

Legal Battle Background

The legal proceedings is part of an ongoing effort in a broader legal battle addressing the inaccurate allegation that the first lady is male.

The Macrons have initiated a US lawsuit alleging slander involving a media personality who promoted the allegation.

The lawsuit clarifies that the claim is totally unfounded and points out that the individual referenced is in fact Brigitte Macron's brother.

Defendants' Responses

In court, several defendants denied the charges.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, asserted he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and referred to his online statements as satirical.
• A fiction writer argued that his posts were intended as "irony" and expressed concern that the case could endanger "freedom of expression".
• An art gallery owner testified he posted content since he thought it was an international matter with "impact on the nation".

Personal History

The baseless rumor concerning Brigitte Macron's gender gained traction in part because the Macrons' relationship has long been a point of interest online.

The first lady, aged two decades older than her husband, first met the future president when she was a educator at the institution he attended.

Their bond evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in the following year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

She wrapped up her account by stating that the inaccurate allegations have created a "storm that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.