🔗 Share this article

The French first lady's child, her daughter, testified to a Paris court that inaccurate assertions spread through social media—including the groundless claim that she was born a man—have severely damaged her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a testifier in the trial of ten people accused of digital bullying targeting the first lady.

Consequences on Personal Routine

She testified that the first lady now is always concerned about how she looks, from the clothes she wears to her posture, as a result of the concern that every photograph could be distorted to advance hateful attacks.

"The outcome is that she systematically must be cautious to her clothing, how she holds herself, no matter what her actions in her daily life," Auzière told the court.

Those on Trial and Accusations

Ten individuals, in that age range, are on trial for digital abuse. Some had limited online influence, while several more were more prominent.

Each one is charged with posting harmful statements about the first lady's personal life. In certain cases, this extended to comparing her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to inappropriate terms.

If convicted, they may be sentenced to as much as 24 months in jail.

Effect on Relatives

She, a family member from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, stated how the inaccurate allegations have resulted in a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "decline of her quality of life".

She said, "Not a day passes when someone avoids discussing the issue to her."

She highlighted the impact on the family, for example her grandchildren learning about false assertions like "Your grandmother is lying" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She is unsure how to end it," she stated. "She's not elected, she has not sought any of this, and she is continually facing these assaults."

Court Case Context

The legal proceedings is the latest phase in a wider judicial fight targeting the inaccurate allegation that she is supposedly transgender.

The Macrons have pursued a case in America over false statements targeting a media personality who promoted the claim.

The legal filing clarifies that the accusation is completely false and identifies that the individual referenced is actually her older brother.

Trial Testimonies

In court, a few individuals disputed the allegations.

• An individual, serving as a local official, asserted he "had no purpose to cause harm" and referred to his posts as humorous.
• Another defendant claimed that his posts were intended as "satire" and expressed concern that the case could threaten "the right to speak freely".
• Another individual testified he shared information since he thought it was an international matter with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The inaccurate claim regarding the first lady's identity circulated in part because their union has frequently been a point of interest online.

The first lady, aged two decades older than the president, first met Emmanuel Macron when serving as a educator at the institution he attended.

Their bond developed through the school's theatre programme, and they married in the following year, after Brigitte Macron's separation.

Auzière finished her testimony by saying that the false claims have caused a "whirlwind that never stops" for her mother.