In a powerful court appearance in Paris, Tiphaine Auzière, daughter of Brigitte Macron, highlighted the severe impact of cyberbullying on her mother's health and living conditions. Ms. Auzière, also the stepdaughter of French President Emmanuel Macron, addressed the court during the trial of ten individuals accused of disseminating false and derogatory claims about her mother's gender and sexuality.
During her testimony, Ms. Auzière expressed concern over the conspiracy theories surrounding Mrs. Macron, particularly allegations suggesting she is a transgender woman. It is important to be here today to express the harm my mother has faced. I wanted to give an account of what her life has been like since the moment she started being targeted by these attacks, she said.
She noted a distinct deterioration in her mother's health coinciding with the emergence of these claims, mentioning how Brigitte has had to carefully navigate her public image in response to persistent slander. She knows perfectly well that her image will be used to back these theories, Ms. Auzière stated, emphasizing the ongoing emotional toll it has taken on the family, including the impact on her grandchildren.
The trial reveals a broader context of misogyny and harassment in modern society, with prosecutors advocating for suspended prison sentences and fines for the accused, ranging from three to twelve months in prison and fines up to €8,000. Among the defendants is Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, who allegedly propagated the transgender claims to over 200,000 followers on social media.
This case sheds light on the dangers of online bullying and misinformation, emphasizing the need for accountability and the importance of protecting individuals from baseless attacks.
