Brigitte Macron's daughter, her daughter, informed a tribunal in Paris that misleading allegations circulating on the internet—among them the groundless claim that she was born a man—have negatively impacted her mother's quality of life.
She, a 41-year-old lawyer, appeared as a testifier in the legal proceedings of a group of defendants allegedly involved in digital bullying targeting her mother.
She explained that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, including her attire to the way she carries herself, as a result of the fear that each snapshot may be misused to support negative campaigns.
"The outcome is that she always needs to be careful to what she wears, how she holds herself, regardless of her activities in her daily life," Auzière told the court.
The defendants, in that age range, are on trial for internet-based bullying. A few had limited online influence, while the rest were more visible.
Each one is charged with posting harmful statements about Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality. For some, this involved equating her age difference with Emmanuel Macron to inappropriate terms.
If convicted, they face as much as 24 months in prison.
Auzière, one of three children from Brigitte Macron's initial union, described how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "worsening of her daily happiness".
She said, "Not a day goes by when a person avoids discussing this to her."
She emphasized the repercussions on her relatives, for example the younger generation being exposed to hurtful comments like "Brigitte is deceptive" or "She was born male".
"She does not know what to do about it," she remarked. "She's not elected, she has not sought any of this, and she is constantly facing these assaults."
The legal proceedings is part of an ongoing effort in a extended court case addressing the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron is transgender.
The couple have initiated a US lawsuit for defamation targeting a media personality who spread the claim.
The case clarifies that the accusation is totally unfounded and identifies that the name mentioned is in fact Brigitte Macron's sibling.
Throughout the proceedings, some of the accused rejected the accusations.
The baseless rumor concerning Brigitte Macron's sex gained traction partly because the Macrons' relationship has often been a subject of discussion online.
Brigitte Macron, who is significantly older than her husband, originally knew Emmanuel Macron when working as a teacher at the institution he attended.
Their bond developed through theatrical projects, and they married in that year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's marriage dissolution.
She wrapped up her statement by saying that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "whirlwind that does not cease" for the first lady.
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Franklin Sampson
Franklin Sampson
Franklin Sampson