🔗 Share this article Misleading Assertions Online Negatively Impacted Brigitte Macron's Daily Life, Daughter Informs Court Brigitte Macron's child, Tiphaine Auzière, has told a judicial body in Paris that misleading allegations circulating on the internet—among them the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's daily existence. She, a legal professional, served as a witness in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants accused of digital bullying against Brigitte Macron. Impact on Everyday Activities 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 concern that each snapshot could be misused to support malicious comments. "The result is that she always must be cautious to what she wears, how she holds herself, no matter what she's doing in her daily life," Auzière told the court. Defendants and Charges The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for digital abuse. Some had modest digital reach, while others were more prominent. Each one is charged with making malicious comments about the first lady's personal life. For some, this included linking the disparity in years with Emmanuel Macron to offensive labels. If convicted, they may be sentenced to as much as 24 months in prison. Consequences for Loved Ones She, a daughter from her mother's initial union, described how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "worsening of her health" and a "decline of her quality of life". She explained, "Not a day passes when someone fails to mention this to her." Auzière highlighted the impact on the family, such as her grandchildren hearing hurtful comments like "Your grandmother is lying" or "She is your grandfather". "She has no idea how to end it," Auzière stated. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought anything, and she is permanently subjected to these attacks." Judicial Proceedings Context This case is the latest phase in a broader legal battle addressing the baseless theory that the first lady is a man. The couple have initiated a US lawsuit alleging slander targeting a media personality who spread the allegation. The lawsuit states that the claim is totally unfounded and points out that the person cited is really her older brother. Accused Individuals' Statements In court, some of the accused rejected the allegations. A retired business owner, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "never intended to cause harm" and described his social media content as satirical. A fiction writer argued that his social media shares were intended as "satire" and voiced worry that the case could endanger "the right to speak freely". A third defendant explained he posted information because he felt it was an international matter with "impact on the nation". Past Context The inaccurate claim regarding the first lady's gender circulated to some extent because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a point of interest on the internet. The first lady, being significantly older than her husband, originally knew Emmanuel Macron when she was a educator at his secondary school. The connection between them developed through the school's theatre programme, and they entered into marriage in the following year, after her marriage dissolution. Auzière wrapped up her testimony by stating that the inaccurate allegations have produced a "whirlwind that never stops" for her mother.