False Claims Online Damaged Brigitte Macron's Well-being, Daughter Informs Judges
Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a Paris court that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—among them the baseless theory that the French first lady was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's personal well-being.
She, a attorney, served as a witness in the trial of a group of defendants accused of digital bullying directed at the first lady.
Impact on Personal Routine
Auzière testified that the first lady now worries constantly about her demeanor, from her attire to the way she carries herself, due to the apprehension that every photograph could be manipulated to fuel malicious comments.
"The result is that she systematically must be cautious to what she wears, her posture, no matter what she's doing in everyday routine," Auzière told the court.
Defendants and Accusations
Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for internet-based bullying. Some had modest digital reach, while others were more visible.
Every defendant is charged with posting harmful statements about the first lady's gender and sexuality. For some, this included equating the disparity in years with her husband to inappropriate terms.
Upon being found guilty, they may be sentenced to up to two years in jail.
Consequences for Loved Ones
Auzière, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's initial union, stated how the false claims have resulted in a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".
She said, "Hardly a day goes by when someone fails to mention the issue to her."
She highlighted the effects on the family, for example the kids being exposed to false assertions like "She is deceptive" or "She is actually a man".
"She has no idea what to do about it," she stated. "She's not elected, she has not sought anything, and she is permanently subjected to these attacks."
Judicial Proceedings History
The Paris trial is the latest phase in a extended court case addressing the inaccurate allegation that she is supposedly male.
The Macrons have initiated a US lawsuit for defamation against a media personality who promoted the theory.
The legal filing asserts that the accusation is entirely inaccurate and points out that the individual referenced is actually her sibling.
Accused Individuals' Statements
Throughout the proceedings, a few individuals denied the accusations.
- A retired business owner, serving as a local official, stated he "had no purpose to cause harm" and described his posts as humorous.
- A fiction writer claimed that his posts were meant to be "irony" and voiced worry that the trial could threaten "the right to speak freely".
- An art gallery owner said he shared content as he believed it was an international matter with "implications for the country".
Personal History
The baseless rumor about the first lady's gender circulated in part because their union has often been a topic of comment on the internet.
The first lady, being significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered the future president when she was a instructor at his secondary school.
Their relationship evolved through drama activities, and they wed in 2007, subsequent to her marriage dissolution.
She concluded her account by stating that the baseless rumors have produced a "chaos that never stops" for Brigitte Macron.