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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified to a judicial body in Paris that inaccurate assertions spread through social media—including the baseless theory that the French first lady had a male birth identity—have significantly harmed her mother's quality of life.

Auzière, a legal professional, served as a witness in the trial of a group of defendants accused of digital bullying targeting Brigitte Macron.

Impact on Daily Life

Auzière explained that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about how she looks, such as her attire to the way she carries herself, due to the fear that every photograph might be misused to fuel negative campaigns.

"The consequence is that she constantly must be cautious to her clothing, her posture, regardless of she's doing in her daily life," she informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Accusations

Eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60, are in court for internet-based bullying. Some had limited online influence, while others were more prominent.

All is charged with posting harmful statements about the first lady's gender and sexuality. In certain cases, this extended to equating the age gap with her husband to offensive labels.

Upon being found guilty, they face as much as 24 months in jail.

Family Impact

Auzière, a family member from Brigitte Macron's first marriage, stated how the false claims have resulted in a "deterioration of her health" and a "worsening of her quality of life".

She said, "Scarcely a day passes when a person fails to mention the issue to her."

Auzière highlighted the repercussions on her relatives, for example the younger generation hearing malicious statements like "Brigitte is lying" or "Your grandmother was born male".

"She does not know what to do about it," Auzière stated. "She holds no office, she never asked for anything, and she is constantly experiencing these attacks."

Court Case Background

The Paris trial is part of an ongoing effort in a broader legal battle against the false claim that Brigitte Macron is transgender.

The Macrons have pursued a US lawsuit over false statements targeting a conservative podcaster who amplified the claim.

The case asserts that the accusation is entirely inaccurate and notes that the individual referenced is actually Brigitte Macron's brother.

Trial Testimonies

In court, a few individuals rejected the allegations.

• One defendant, holding a public position, stated he "did not mean to inflict damage" and described his social media content as humorous.
• A fiction writer claimed that his social media shares were meant to be "humor" and voiced worry that the trial could endanger "free speech".
• A third defendant said he disseminated content since he thought it was an international matter with "consequences for France".

Relationship Background

The baseless rumor regarding Brigitte Macron's identity gained traction to some extent because the Macrons' relationship has frequently been a subject of discussion on the internet.

The first lady, aged two decades older than her husband, initially encountered the future president when working as a instructor at his secondary school.

Their bond developed through the school's theatre programme, and they wed in that year, after her separation.

Auzière wrapped up her account by expressing that the false claims have created a "storm that does not cease" for Brigitte Macron.