False Claims on Social Media Negatively Impacted Brigitte Macron's Daily Life, Child Tells Court
The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, testified to a Paris court that inaccurate assertions online—among them the baseless theory that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.
Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a testifier in the court case of 10 individuals accused of online harassment targeting her mother.
Impact on Personal Routine
She explained that the first lady now is always concerned about how she looks, including her attire to the way she carries herself, as a result of the concern that each snapshot might be distorted to advance hateful attacks.
"The result is that she constantly has to pay attention to her clothing, how she holds herself, regardless of her actions in everyday routine," Auzière informed the judges.
Accused Individuals and Accusations
Ten individuals, in that age range, are on trial for digital abuse. Several had modest digital reach, while several more were better known.
Every defendant is charged with making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's personal life. In certain cases, this extended to linking her age difference with her husband to offensive labels.
If convicted, they could receive up to two years in incarceration.
Family Impact
She, a daughter from her mother's first marriage, stated how the false claims have caused a "decline of her physical state" and a "worsening of her overall existence".
She testified, "Hardly a day goes by when a person does not talk the issue to her."
Auzière emphasized the repercussions on loved ones, such as the kids being exposed to malicious statements like "Brigitte is not truthful" or "She is your grandfather".
"She is unsure how to end it," Auzière stated. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought public attention, and she is permanently experiencing these assaults."
Legal Battle Background
This case is the latest phase in a broader legal battle targeting the inaccurate allegation that Brigitte Macron was a man.
The couple have initiated a case in America over false statements involving a conservative podcaster who promoted the claim.
The case states that the accusation is completely false and points out that the person cited is actually Brigitte Macron's older brother.
Accused Individuals' Statements
In court, several defendants disputed the accusations.
- An individual, now a deputy mayor, stated he "never intended to inflict damage" and described his posts as satirical.
- A fiction writer claimed that his online activity were meant to be "humor" and voiced worry that the legal action could threaten "free speech".
- An art gallery owner testified he posted posts as he believed it was an international matter with "impact on the nation".
Relationship Background
The false theory concerning the first lady's gender circulated to some extent because their marriage has often been a topic of comment in digital spaces.
The first lady, being significantly older than her husband, initially encountered him when she was a educator at the institution he attended.
Their relationship evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they entered into marriage in that year, following Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.
Auzière concluded her account by saying that the false claims have caused a "whirlwind that never stops" for her mother.