🔗 Share this article

Brigitte Macron's daughter, her daughter, testified to a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—among them the groundless claim that the French first lady is transgender—have severely damaged her mother's personal well-being.

She, a attorney, was called as a witness in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants accused of online harassment directed at Brigitte Macron.

Impact on Everyday Activities

She stated that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about her demeanor, such as the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, due to the concern that every photograph could be misused to support hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she always has to pay attention to her outfits, her body language, irrespective of her activities in her daily life," she testified.

Accused Individuals and Accusations

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for internet-based bullying. Some had a small social media following, while others were more visible.

Every defendant is alleged to have making malicious comments about the first lady's identity. In certain cases, this extended to comparing her age difference with her husband to offensive labels.

Upon being found guilty, they face up to two years in incarceration.

Family Impact

Auzière, a family member from Brigitte Macron's initial union, stated how the baseless rumors have led to a "decline of her health" and a "worsening of her quality of life".

She testified, "Hardly a day passes when someone does not talk this to her."

She pointed out the repercussions on the family, such as her grandchildren being exposed to hurtful comments like "Brigitte is lying" or "She is your grandfather".

"She is unsure what to do about it," she remarked. "She holds no office, she didn't pursue public attention, and she is constantly experiencing these attacks."

Judicial Proceedings History

The Paris trial represents a recent development in a broader legal battle targeting the baseless theory that she is a man.

The couple have initiated a US lawsuit alleging slander targeting a conservative podcaster who spread the theory.

The case clarifies that the accusation is totally unfounded and notes that the person cited is in fact her brother.

Defendants' Responses

In court, some of the accused disputed the accusations.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, claimed he "had no purpose to inflict damage" and described his social media content as satirical.
• A fiction writer argued that his social media shares were intended as "irony" and expressed concern that the legal action could threaten "free speech".
• A third defendant explained he shared information since he thought it was a global issue with "implications for the country".

Personal History

The false theory regarding the first lady's sex circulated to some extent because their marriage has often been a subject of discussion in digital spaces.

The first lady, aged significantly older than Emmanuel Macron, first met Emmanuel Macron when serving as a instructor at the institution he attended.

Their relationship developed through theatrical projects, and they married in the following year, after Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.

Auzière concluded her account by expressing that the baseless rumors have created a "chaos that never stops" for the first lady.