🔗 Share this article Inaccurate Assertions on Social Media Harmed Brigitte Macron's Daily Life, Child Tells Judges Brigitte Macron's child, her daughter, testified to a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions spread through social media—among them the groundless claim that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life. She, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a testifier in the trial of ten people facing charges for digital bullying targeting the first lady. Impact on Personal Routine Auzière testified that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about her demeanor, from the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, as a result of the fear that every photograph might be manipulated to support malicious comments. "The outcome is that she systematically needs to be careful to her clothing, how she holds herself, regardless of she's doing in day-to-day existence," she testified. Defendants and Charges Ten individuals, in that age range, are in court for online harassment. A few had a small social media following, while several more were more prominent. All is charged with spreading defamatory content about the first lady's gender and sexuality. In certain cases, this extended to comparing her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels. If convicted, they may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in incarceration. Family Impact Auzière, a daughter from her mother's initial union, described how the inaccurate allegations have resulted in a "decline of her health" and a "decline of her overall existence". She explained, "Hardly a day goes by when a person avoids discussing these claims to her." She highlighted the repercussions on her relatives, such as her grandchildren learning about hurtful comments like "Your grandmother is not truthful" or "She was born male". "She is unsure how to stop it," Auzière testified. "She didn't run for election, she didn't pursue anything, and she is constantly subjected to this abuse." Court Case History The Paris trial represents a recent development in a extended court case against the baseless theory that the first lady is a man. The couple have initiated a US lawsuit over false statements against a conservative podcaster who promoted the allegation. The lawsuit clarifies that the accusation is entirely inaccurate and notes that the name mentioned is actually Brigitte Macron's brother. Trial Testimonies During the trial, several defendants rejected the accusations. A retired business owner, now a deputy mayor, claimed he "had no purpose to cause harm" and described his posts as satirical. A well-known publicist claimed that his posts were intended as "irony" and expressed concern that the trial could endanger "the right to speak freely". An art gallery owner explained he disseminated content as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation". Relationship Background The false theory concerning Brigitte Macron's identity spread partly because their union has often been a subject of discussion in digital spaces. The first lady, being 24 years older than her husband, first met him when she was a instructor at his school. Their bond evolved through theatrical projects, and they married in the following year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's divorce. She wrapped up her testimony by stating that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.