🔗 Share this article Misleading Allegations on the Internet Harmed Brigitte Macron's Quality of Life, Child Informs Judges The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions online—including the unfounded rumor that Brigitte Macron is transgender—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life. Auzière, a attorney, served as a testifier in the court case of ten people accused of online harassment against Brigitte Macron. Effects on Daily Life She testified that her mother now worries constantly about how she looks, from her attire to the way she carries herself, because of the apprehension that every photograph may be distorted to advance negative campaigns. "The result is that she always needs to be careful to her clothing, her body language, no matter what she's doing in everyday routine," she told the court. Defendants and Accusations Eight men and two women, in that age range, are in court for digital abuse. A few had limited online influence, while several more were better known. Each one is charged with making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's identity. For some, this extended to equating the age gap with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels. If convicted, they could receive as much as 24 months in incarceration. Effect on Relatives She, a family member from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, stated how the false claims have caused a "decline of her health" and a "deterioration of her daily happiness". She said, "Hardly a day goes by when a person avoids discussing these claims to her." Auzière pointed out the effects on her relatives, for example the younger generation being exposed to false assertions like "Your grandmother is lying" or "She was born male". "She has no idea how to stop it," Auzière remarked. "She's not elected, she never asked for any of this, and she is constantly facing this abuse." Judicial Proceedings Context The Paris trial is part of an ongoing effort in a extended court case addressing the inaccurate allegation that Brigitte Macron was a man. The couple have pursued a US lawsuit for defamation involving a political commentator who spread the theory. The lawsuit states that the claim is entirely inaccurate and notes that the individual referenced is actually her sibling. Accused Individuals' Statements In court, some of the accused rejected the allegations. One defendant, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "never intended to inflict damage" and referred to his posts as humorous. A well-known publicist claimed that his social media shares were meant to be "irony" and expressed concern that the case could endanger "the right to speak freely". An art gallery owner testified he shared content as he believed it was an international matter with "consequences for France". Past Context The inaccurate claim about the first lady's gender circulated partly because their marriage has frequently been a subject of discussion on the internet. The first lady, being 24 years older than the president, initially encountered him when working as a teacher at the institution he attended. Their bond evolved through theatrical projects, and they wed in the following year, after Brigitte Macron's separation. Auzière finished her statement by expressing that the baseless rumors have created a "whirlwind that does not cease" for the first lady.