In a courtroom in Paris, the daughter of France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron, provided a poignant testimony regarding the impact of cyberbullying on her mother’s life. On October 28, 2025, during the second and concluding day of a trial involving ten individuals accused of making malicious online comments, Tiphaine Auzière spoke about the severe emotional toll these attacks have taken.
The defendants stand accused of spreading harmful assertions insinuating that President Emmanuel Macron’s wife is a man, and they have faced significant backlash, with some social media posts garnering tens of thousands of views. Their defense hinged on claims that the comments were intended as humor or satire, leaving them puzzled about the legal actions against them. The group includes a mix of professions, such as an elected official, a teacher, and a computer scientist, and they could face up to two years in prison if found guilty.
During her testimony, Auzière expressed deep concern over her mother’s well-being, stating, “She cannot ignore the horrible things said about her.” She described a notable deterioration in Brigitte Macron’s quality of life due to the relentless cyberbullying. With unmistakable emotion, Auzière illustrated how these attacks have infringed upon her mother’s sense of safety and privacy. “As a result, she is forced to be careful about her outfits, her posture, and her everyday life,” she explained.
The ripple effects of this harassment extend beyond Brigitte, impacting her entire family. Auzière revealed that their children are subjected to hurtful comments at school, with taunts like “Your grandmother is a man,” which leave the family grappling with painful consequences.
The Macrons have long been the subjects of baseless conspiracy theories, including allegations that Brigitte was born as Jean-Michel Trogneux, a name that also belongs to her brother. Further complicating matters, the couple has filed a defamation suit in Delaware against U.S. conservative influencer Candace Owens, seeking “substantial” damages should she continue to promote these fallacies.
The Macrons’ relationship has often captured public interest; they have been married since 2007, having met while Brigitte was a teacher and Emmanuel a student at her school.
With the trial concluded, a verdict is anticipated in the coming days. This case underscores the ongoing challenges public figures face concerning their image and the impact of cyberbullying on personal lives, highlighting the necessity for stronger protections against online harassment. The conversation around the issue is sure to continue, fostering hope for a future where empathy and respect prevail in public discourse.