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The French first lady's daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, informed a Paris court that misleading allegations circulating on the internet—including the baseless theory that Brigitte Macron is transgender—have negatively impacted her mother's daily existence.

She, a legal professional, served as a testifier in the legal proceedings of ten people facing charges for online harassment against the first lady.

Consequences on Everyday Activities

Auzière explained that Brigitte Macron now worries constantly about her demeanor, including her fashion choices to her posture, due to the fear that each snapshot could be distorted to fuel hateful attacks.

"The consequence is that she constantly needs to be careful to what she wears, her posture, irrespective of her activities in her daily life," she informed the judges.

Accused Individuals and Allegations

The defendants, between 41 and 60 years old, are on trial for digital abuse. A few had modest digital reach, while the rest were more prominent.

Each one is alleged to have spreading defamatory content about the first lady's gender and sexuality. In certain cases, this included equating the disparity in years with her husband to offensive labels.

Upon being found guilty, they face up to two years in incarceration.

Consequences for Loved Ones

She, one of three children from her mother's initial union, explained how the baseless rumors have resulted in a "deterioration of her health" and a "decline of her overall existence".

She explained, "Hardly a day goes by when someone avoids discussing these claims to her."

Auzière pointed out the effects on the family, including the younger generation hearing malicious statements like "She is not truthful" or "Your grandmother is actually a man".

"She does not know how to end it," she testified. "She's not elected, she never asked for any of this, and she is permanently facing these assaults."

Judicial Proceedings Context

The Paris trial represents a recent development in a extended court case against the inaccurate allegation that Brigitte Macron was male.

The Macrons have also filed a case in America for defamation involving a conservative podcaster who spread the allegation.

The case clarifies that the claim is completely false and points out that the name mentioned is really Brigitte Macron's sibling.

Trial Testimonies

In court, a few individuals denied the allegations.

• An individual, holding a public position, asserted he "never intended to hurt anyone" and referred to his social media content as satirical.
• A fiction writer claimed that his social media shares were intended as "humor" and voiced worry that the legal action could endanger "the right to speak freely".
• Another individual testified he posted posts as he believed it was a worldwide topic with "consequences for France".

Relationship Background

The baseless rumor about the first lady's identity circulated to some extent because their union has frequently been a subject of discussion online.

She, being two decades older than Emmanuel Macron, initially encountered the future president when she was a educator at his secondary school.

Their relationship evolved through the school's theatre programme, and they married in 2007, following her marriage dissolution.

She wrapped up her statement by expressing that the inaccurate allegations have caused a "storm that continues endlessly" for her mother.