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Brigitte Macron's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a tribunal in Paris that false claims circulating on the internet—among them the groundless claim that the French first lady is transgender—have significantly harmed her mother's daily existence.

Auzière, a 41-year-old lawyer, served as a witness in the trial of ten people facing charges for digital bullying against her mother.

Impact on Everyday Activities

She testified that Brigitte Macron now feels perpetual anxiety about her appearance, from her attire to the way she carries herself, as a result of the apprehension that each snapshot might be distorted to fuel malicious comments.

"The consequence is that she always has to pay attention to her outfits, how she holds herself, regardless of she's doing in everyday routine," she informed the judges.

Defendants and Accusations

The defendants, in that age range, are on trial for online harassment. Several had modest digital reach, while others were more visible.

Each one is charged with spreading defamatory content about the first lady's identity. For some, this extended to linking the disparity in years with the French president to offensive labels.

If found responsible, they face a maximum of two years in prison.

Effect on Relatives

Auzière, a daughter from Brigitte Macron's initial union, explained how the inaccurate allegations have caused a "decline of her well-being" and a "decline of her quality of life".

She explained, "Scarcely a day passes when someone avoids discussing the issue to her."

She emphasized the impact on the family, for example her grandchildren being exposed to false assertions like "She is not truthful" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She is unsure how to end it," Auzière stated. "She's not elected, she didn't pursue any of this, and she is constantly facing these attacks."

Legal Battle History

The Paris trial is the latest phase in a extended court case against the baseless theory that she is a man.

The couple have pursued a legal action in the United States alleging slander against a conservative podcaster who amplified the theory.

The lawsuit states that the accusation is completely false and identifies that the person cited is really Brigitte Macron's brother.

Trial Testimonies

During the trial, a few individuals disputed the allegations.

• An individual, now a deputy mayor, claimed he "never intended to inflict damage" and described his posts as satirical.
• A well-known publicist stated that his posts were intended as "irony" and expressed concern that the trial could undermine "freedom of expression".
• An art gallery owner testified he disseminated posts since he thought it was an international matter with "consequences for France".

Past Context

The baseless rumor about the first lady's identity circulated in part because their union has frequently been a point of interest in digital spaces.

Brigitte Macron, being significantly older than the president, first met him when she was a instructor at his school.

The connection between them grew through drama activities, and they entered into marriage in that year, subsequent to Brigitte Macron's divorce.

Auzière finished her testimony by expressing that the inaccurate allegations have created a "whirlwind that continues endlessly" for her mother.