False Assertions on the Internet Damaged Brigitte Macron's Well-being, Daughter Tells Judges

Brigitte Macron's child, her daughter, has told a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions spread through social media—including the unfounded rumor that she is transgender—have severely damaged her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a attorney, appeared as a witness in the legal proceedings of ten people allegedly involved in internet-based abuse directed at Brigitte Macron.

Effects on Daily Life

Auzière explained that Brigitte Macron now worries constantly about her appearance, such as the clothes she wears to how she stands, due to the fear that every photograph could be manipulated to support hateful attacks.

"The consequence is that she always must be cautious to what she wears, her body language, no matter what her activities in her daily life," Auzière testified.

Those on Trial and Charges

Ten individuals, aged 41 to 60, are facing charges for online harassment. Several had a small social media following, while others were more visible.

All is charged with making malicious comments about the first lady's gender and sexuality. Among them, this involved linking the age gap with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

If convicted, they could receive a maximum of two years in incarceration.

Family Impact

She, a daughter from her mother's previous marriage, stated how the baseless rumors have caused a "decline of her health" and a "deterioration of her quality of life".

She testified, "Not a day passes when someone avoids discussing these claims to her."

Auzière emphasized the impact on the family, for example the younger generation being exposed to malicious statements like "Your grandmother is not truthful" or "She was born male".

"She has no idea how to end it," she testified. "She's not elected, she never asked for anything, and she is permanently subjected to these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings History

The legal proceedings is part of an ongoing effort in a wider judicial fight against the inaccurate allegation that the first lady is supposedly male.

They have initiated a case in America alleging slander targeting a media personality who spread the claim.

The lawsuit asserts that the allegation is completely false and identifies that the name mentioned is in fact her sibling.

Trial Testimonies

In court, several defendants disputed the charges.

  • One defendant, serving as a local official, stated he "never intended to hurt anyone" and described his social media content as satirical.
  • Another defendant claimed that his social media shares were intended as "satire" and expressed concern that the trial could threaten "free speech".
  • An art gallery owner said he shared information because he felt it was a worldwide topic with "impact on the nation".

Relationship Background

The false theory about the first lady's sex gained traction in part because their union has frequently been a point of interest online.

The first lady, being significantly older than her husband, initially encountered the future president when serving as a teacher at the institution he attended.

Their relationship grew through the school's theatre programme, and they entered into marriage in the following year, subsequent to her marriage dissolution.

Auzière finished her testimony by saying that the inaccurate allegations have created a "chaos that never stops" for the first lady.

Timothy Lloyd
Timothy Lloyd

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