Tiphaine Auzière, the daughter of Brigitte Macron, recently testified in a Paris court regarding the profound effects of sexist cyber-bullying on her mother's health and living conditions. At 41 years old, Auzière is the step-daughter of French President Emmanuel Macron. Her testimony took place on the second and final day of a trial involving ten individuals accused of disseminating unfounded claims regarding Brigitte Macron's gender and sexuality.
During her testimony, Auzière emphasized the importance of speaking out about the harm her mother has endured. "I wanted to give an account of what her life has been like since the moment she started being targeted by these attacks," she stated. Auzière observed a notable change in her mother's health as the rumors about her gender and sexuality began to circulate. "Mrs. Macron has had to be careful about her choices of outfits and posture... She knows perfectly well that her image will be used to back these theories," Auzière added, shedding light on the personal struggles faced by the former teacher.
Auzière also highlighted how the cyber-bullying has affected her mother’s grandchildren, who have been subjected to taunts at school. "Not a day goes by that the claims are not somehow reported to her mother—even by someone who means well," she lamented. She expressed her frustration at the constant attacks on her mother, stating, "She hasn't been elected, she hasn't asked anything of anyone, and she comes under attack."
The prosecution is seeking suspended prison sentences ranging from three to twelve months for the accused individuals, alongside fines that could reach up to €8,000 ($9,300). The defendants, aged 41 to 65, include a gallery owner, a teacher, and an elected official. One of the accused, Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, allegedly told his 200,000 online followers that Brigitte Macron is a transgender woman, further claiming that the 24-year age gap between her and President Macron constitutes state-sanctioned pedophilia.
Poirson-Atlan defended his statements in court, asserting that he is a satirist aiming to present an alternative viewpoint to mainstream media narratives. Two other defendants, Natacha Rey and Amandine Roy, previously faced slander charges for claiming that France's First Lady had never existed and that her brother had changed gender. Though they were initially found guilty, they were later acquitted by a court of appeals.
Some defendants have invoked their right to freedom of expression, with one even requesting that the Macron family publicly provide photographs of Brigitte Macron during pregnancy to validate her biological identity. The Macron family has also indicated plans to provide evidence in a separate legal case against US right-wing influencer Candace Owens, who has repeatedly claimed that Brigitte Macron is a man. In March 2024, Owens asserted that she would stake her entire professional reputation on this allegation.
Earlier this year, the Macrons' lawyer, Tom Clare, announced that they would present both photographic and scientific evidence in a US court to substantiate that Brigitte Macron is indeed a biological woman. Clare expressed the distressing nature of their situation, stating, "It is incredibly upsetting to think that you have to go and subject yourself to put this type of proof forward."
Brigitte Macron first met Emmanuel Macron when she was his teacher at a secondary school. Their relationship blossomed over the years, culminating in their marriage in 2007, when Emmanuel was just 29 years old and Brigitte was 54. Despite the ongoing cyber-bullying and conspiracy theories surrounding her identity, the couple remains resilient, facing public scrutiny with dignity.