🔗 Share this article

The French first lady's daughter, her daughter, informed a tribunal in Paris that inaccurate assertions circulating on the internet—such as the groundless claim that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's personal well-being.

She, a attorney, served as a testifier in the court case of a group of defendants facing charges for online harassment against Brigitte Macron.

Consequences on Personal Routine

She explained that her mother now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, including her attire to the way she carries herself, due to the concern that any image may be manipulated to support negative campaigns.

"The outcome is that she always has to pay attention to what she wears, her posture, irrespective of her actions in day-to-day existence," she informed the judges.

Those on Trial and Allegations

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

Each one is charged with making malicious comments about Brigitte Macron's identity. For some, this extended to equating the disparity in years with the French president to hurtful comparisons.

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

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, explained how the false claims have led to a "deterioration of her well-being" and a "decline of her daily happiness".

She said, "Not a day passes when an individual fails to mention these claims to her."

She emphasized the impact on the family, such as the younger generation learning about false assertions like "Your grandmother is lying" or "She was born male".

"She is unsure how to stop it," she remarked. "She didn't run for election, she has not sought anything, and she is continually subjected to this abuse."

Court Case Background

The legal proceedings represents a recent development in a wider judicial fight against the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron is transgender.

They have pursued a US lawsuit alleging slander against a conservative podcaster who promoted the claim.

The legal filing asserts that the accusation is entirely inaccurate and notes that the name mentioned is actually Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Defendants' Responses

In court, a few individuals rejected the charges.

• One defendant, serving as a local official, asserted he "did not mean to cause harm" and described his posts as satirical.
• A fiction writer stated that his posts were meant to be "irony" and expressed concern that the case could undermine "free speech".
• Another individual said he shared information because he felt it was an international matter with "impact on the nation".

Past Context

The inaccurate claim concerning the first lady's identity circulated partly because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a topic of comment on the internet.

The first lady, who is significantly older than the president, first met the future president when working as a educator at his secondary school.

Their bond grew through theatrical projects, and they wed in the following year, following her separation.

She concluded her statement by saying that the baseless rumors have caused a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for Brigitte Macron.