🔗 Share this article

The French first lady's child, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a Paris court that false claims spread through social media—including the baseless theory that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have severely damaged her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, was called as a testifier in the trial of 10 individuals accused of online harassment directed at Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Everyday Activities

Auzière stated that Brigitte Macron now is always concerned about her appearance, such as the clothes she wears to her posture, due to the concern that every photograph could be distorted to fuel malicious comments.

"The outcome is that she always has to pay attention to what she wears, her posture, no matter what her actions in everyday routine," she informed the judges.

Those on Trial and Allegations

Ten individuals, aged 41 to 60, are facing charges for online harassment. Several had limited online influence, while others were better known.

Each one is accused of posting harmful statements about the first lady's personal life. Among them, this extended to linking the disparity in years with her husband to inappropriate terms.

Upon being found guilty, they face a maximum of two years in prison.

Family Impact

Auzière, a family member from Brigitte Macron's previous marriage, described how the baseless rumors have led to a "decline of her physical state" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She explained, "Scarcely a day goes by when a person fails to mention this to her."

Auzière emphasized the impact on loved ones, for example the kids hearing malicious statements like "She is not truthful" or "Your grandmother is your grandfather".

"She does not know how to end it," she remarked. "She didn't run for election, she never asked for any of this, and she is constantly facing these attacks."

Judicial Proceedings Context

The Paris trial represents a recent development in a extended court case targeting the baseless theory that the first lady was a man.

The couple have pursued a legal action in the United States for defamation involving a media personality who spread the claim.

The legal filing clarifies that the allegation is entirely inaccurate and identifies that the individual referenced is really her brother.

Defendants' Responses

During the trial, some of the accused denied the allegations.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, claimed he "never intended to hurt anyone" and described his posts as ironic.
• A fiction writer claimed that his social media shares were meant to be "irony" and voiced worry that the trial could undermine "freedom of expression".
• An art gallery owner testified he shared information as he believed it was a global issue with "implications for the country".

Relationship Background

The baseless rumor concerning the first lady's gender gained traction in part because their union has long been a subject of discussion online.

The first lady, aged 24 years older than the president, initially encountered him when she was a educator at his secondary school.

Their relationship developed through theatrical projects, and they wed in 2007, subsequent to her marriage dissolution.

She finished her testimony by stating that the false claims have caused a "whirlwind that never stops" for the first lady.