Brigitte Macron's child, her daughter, testified to a judicial body in Paris that misleading allegations circulating on the internet—such as the baseless theory that the French first lady was born a man—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.
Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a witness in the trial of ten people allegedly involved in online harassment against the first lady.
Effects on Personal Routine
Auzière stated that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, from the clothes she wears to her posture, as a result of the fear that every photograph might be misused to fuel negative campaigns.
"The outcome is that she systematically needs to be careful to what she wears, how she holds herself, irrespective of her actions in her daily life," she testified.
Accused Individuals and Charges
The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are on trial for internet-based bullying. A few had a small social media following, while the rest were more prominent.
Each one is alleged to have posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's personal life. Among them, this extended to comparing the disparity in years with her husband to offensive labels.
Upon being found guilty, they may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in prison.
Family Impact
She, a daughter from her mother's first marriage, explained how the inaccurate allegations have led to a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "deterioration of her quality of life".
She said, "Scarcely a day goes by when someone fails to mention this to her."
She pointed out the repercussions on the family, for example the kids learning about hurtful comments like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "She is actually a man".
"She does not know how to stop it," she stated. "She didn't run for election, she never asked for public attention, and she is permanently facing these attacks."
Legal Battle Context
The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a broader legal battle addressing the inaccurate allegation that Brigitte Macron was male.
They have also filed a case in America for defamation involving a political commentator who spread the claim.
The lawsuit states that the claim is totally unfounded and identifies that the person cited is in fact Brigitte Macron's sibling.
Trial Testimonies
During the trial, some of the accused rejected the accusations.
- An individual, now a deputy mayor, claimed he "never intended to hurt anyone" and referred to his posts as humorous.
- A fiction writer claimed that his posts were presented as "humor" and voiced worry that the trial could undermine "the right to speak freely".
- An art gallery owner testified he posted posts because he felt it was an international matter with "consequences for France".
Past Context
The baseless rumor concerning Brigitte Macron's gender circulated to some extent because their marriage has often been a topic of comment in digital spaces.
The first lady, who is significantly older than the president, initially encountered the future president when she was a instructor at his secondary school.
Their bond developed through drama activities, and they entered into marriage in 2007, after Brigitte Macron's separation.
Auzière wrapped up her statement by stating that the inaccurate allegations have created a "whirlwind that never stops" for Brigitte Macron.
