🔗 Share this article Misleading Allegations Online Harmed Brigitte Macron's Quality of Life, Child Tells the Tribunal The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a Paris court that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—including the unfounded rumor that the French first lady was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's quality of life. She, a legal professional, served as a witness in the trial of 10 individuals accused of digital bullying directed at her mother. Effects on Daily Life Auzière stated that the first lady now worries constantly about her appearance, from the clothes she wears to the way she carries herself, because of the apprehension that each snapshot might be distorted to advance malicious comments. "The consequence is that she constantly needs to be careful to her clothing, her posture, irrespective of she's doing in everyday routine," Auzière informed the judges. Accused Individuals and Accusations Eight men and two women, between 41 and 60 years old, are in court for internet-based bullying. Some had a small social media following, while the rest were better known. All is alleged to have making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's personal life. In certain cases, this included comparing the age gap with the French president to hurtful comparisons. If convicted, they face as much as 24 months in incarceration. Effect on Relatives Auzière, a daughter from her mother's initial union, described how the inaccurate allegations have resulted in a "worsening of her health" and a "decline of her daily happiness". She testified, "Not a day passes when a person does not talk the issue to her." Auzière highlighted the effects on her relatives, including her grandchildren being exposed to hurtful comments like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather". "She is unsure how to end it," she testified. "She holds no office, she never asked for any of this, and she is continually experiencing this abuse." Judicial Proceedings History The Paris trial is the latest phase in a broader legal battle targeting the false claim that she was male. They have also filed a US lawsuit alleging slander against a media personality who spread the claim. The legal filing states that the claim is entirely inaccurate and points out that the person cited is actually her older brother. Defendants' Responses During the trial, several defendants denied the charges. An individual, now a deputy mayor, asserted he "did not mean to cause harm" and described his online statements as satirical. A fiction writer stated that his social media shares were intended as "satire" and voiced worry that the case could threaten "free speech". An art gallery owner explained he posted posts since he thought it was a global issue with "implications for the country". Relationship Background The inaccurate claim regarding Brigitte Macron's gender circulated partly because their union has frequently been a point of interest in digital spaces. Brigitte Macron, who is 24 years older than Emmanuel Macron, first met him when serving as a educator at the institution he attended. The connection between them grew through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in the following year, subsequent to her divorce. She finished her testimony by saying that the false claims have created a "storm that never stops" for her mother.